Director Gia Coppola feels into her lineage with third feature *The Last Showgirl*, a careful character study that is equal parts glitz and grit, with a magnetic performance from Pamela Anderson at its centre.

There’s something poignant and vulnerable in Anderson’s decision to play a Las Vegas dancer who’s lost her sparkle. Shelly joined the “Razzle Dazzle” revue in 1987 (two years before “Baywatch” debuted on TV), sacrificing everything — including the traditional duties expected of parents — to live her dream of performing on the Strip. More than three decades later, the show is losing its shine and she is struggling to keep up with the younger performers. While Jodie (Kiernan Shipka) and Marianne (Brenda Song) can flit between multiple jobs, Shelly is knocked sideways when she hears from stage manager/old flame Eddie (an uncharacteristically gentle Dave Bautista) that the show is closing.

Shot on grainy 35mm and perfectly soundtracked by Andrew Wyatt, *The Last Showgirl* is a controlled exploration of performed femininity on and offstage, set against the decaying backdrop of modern Las Vegas.

Rating

CTC

Duration

87 MINS