The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has long been a platform for resurrecting careers and showcasing heartening comeback stories. From Brendan Fraser’s acclaimed performance in “The Whale,” which earned him standing ovations at TIFF two years ago, to this year’s unexpected yet equally compelling resurgence of Pamela Anderson, the festival continues to spotlight the unexpected and extraordinary.
On Friday, Gia Coppola’s film “The Last Showgirl” premiered amidst considerable anticipation. This indie drama sees 57-year-old Pamela Anderson in the lead, portraying an aging Las Vegas showgirl named Shelley. A longtime star in a casino dance revue featuring scantily clad, feather-adorned performers, Shelley’s world begins to crumble when news breaks that the show will soon close due to dwindling attendance. Dave Bautista plays the stage manager who breaks the devastating news, leaving Shelley to introspectively chart a course for her uncertain future.
Despite the mixed critical reviews, Anderson’s role drew a warm round of applause from an audience that filled the Princess of Wales Theatre. Addressing the crowd post-premiere, Anderson revealed that, in many ways, she had been preparing her entire life for this role. “I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role,” Anderson candidly shared, emphasizing her connection to the script and character.
Pamela Anderson has long been a controversial figure, often overshadowed by her past in “Baywatch” and her role in “Borat.” Yet, the festival offered her an opportunity to shine in a fresh light. “It’s the first time I’ve read a good script, first of all. I’ve never had a script come to me that was coherent,” Anderson confessed. “I was like: I’m the only one that can do this. I’ve never felt that strongly about something.”
“The Last Showgirl” fits seamlessly within Anderson’s increasingly fortuitous career trajectory. It follows a series of successes including her 2023 memoir, “Love, Pamela,” and the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Pamela, a Love Story.” The themes of “The Last Showgirl” also resonate with another TIFF entry, “The Substance,” a body-horror film starring Demi Moore that addresses ageism in the entertainment industry.
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Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who delivers a poignant performance as a bronzed casino waitress named Annette in “The Last Showgirl,” became visibly emotional when discussing her character. “I’m just a product of that same reality,” Curtis remarked. “You know who Annette is. Every single one of you know an Annette. It’s a movie about dreams and going after your dreams. But of course, the dreams become a really (expletive) harsh reality. And for women, it’s a really harsh reality that men don’t have as much.”
Curtis, with a dose of humor, added, “And a spray tan helps.” The remark lightened the mood but underscored the brutalities faced by women in the industry.
The movie is for sale in Toronto, and its mixed reviews do little to overshadow Anderson’s standout performance. Critics have pointed out both strengths and weaknesses, but what remains clear is that Anderson’s portrayal of Shelley resonates on a personal level, carving out a nuanced depiction of an entertainer facing the twilight of her career. This role, more than any other, appears to encapsulate Anderson’s own career struggles and triumphs, establishing her not just as a comeback, but as a serious actor capable of depth and complexity.
“The Last Showgirl” isn’t merely a film about stardom and its inevitable decline; it’s a narrative about resilience, reinvention, and the unending pursuit of one’s dreams. For Anderson, it marks a pivotal juncture that may very well redefine her career trajectory. Her performance was one of the most talked-about aspects post-premiere, ensuring that her name remains in the conversation for some time to come.
In an industry often marred by ageism and a relentless pace of change, Anderson stands as a testimony to persistence and reinvention. Her journey through “The Last Showgirl” serves both as a mirror to her past and a harbinger of new possibilities. What lies ahead for Anderson is yet to be seen, but one can be sure that she will approach it with the same earnest passion that brought Shelley to vivid life on the TIFF stage.
Published – September 07, 2024 11:45 am IST
World cinema
English cinema
