The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has long been a stage for cinematic comebacks, having played host to a plethora of such stories over the years. None perhaps as memorable as Brendan Fraser’s celebrated performance in “The Whale” two years ago. This year, the festival may have orchestrated another unexpected resurgence—this time, it’s Pamela Anderson’s return to the limelight that’s capturing attention.
On Friday, famed director Gia Coppola unveiled her latest film, “The Last Showgirl,” an indie drama that sees Anderson take on the role of an aging Las Vegas showgirl. The character Shelley, portrayed by Anderson, is the enduring star of a casino dance show filled with scantily clad, feather-adorned women. However, the show, much like Shelley herself, has seen better days. With dwindling attendance rates, the show’s stage manager, played by Dave Bautista, announces that they will soon give their final performance. This urgent revelation forces Shelley, who has great faith in the show’s magic, to evaluate her options and contemplate her future.
Although the film is currently up for sale in Toronto, it has already generated mixed reviews from critics. Yet, one element that stands out is the warm applause for Anderson, who is now 57 years old, received at the screening. Anderson’s performance in “The Last Showgirl” marks a significant departure from her more well-known roles in “Baywatch” and “Borat.” For Anderson, this acclaim from the festival audience has been a novel and gratifying experience.
Speaking to the audience at the Princess of Wales Theatre after the film’s premiere, Anderson emotionally confessed, “I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role.” The gravity of the occasion was not lost on her, and she reflected on the difference this role represents in her career. “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 revealed. “I was like: I’m the only one that can do this.
. I’ve never felt that strongly about something.”
“The Last Showgirl” is more than just a film for Anderson; it signifies a remarkable string of successes for the former Playboy Playmate. Earlier in 2023, she released her memoir “Love, Pamela,” and the Netflix documentary “Pamela, A Love Story,” which earned an Emmy nomination, further added to her recent run of positive exposure. Additionally, the film shares thematic elements with another TIFF feature, “The Substance,” a body horror film starring Demi Moore that also explores the issue of ageism faced by female entertainers.
Adding to the film’s star power is Jamie Lee Curtis, who portrays Annette, a highly tanned casino waitress. Curtis grew visibly emotional while discussing her character, underscoring the heavy societal pressures that the film explores. “I’m just a product of that same reality,” Curtis said. “You know who Annette is. Every single one of you knows 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 highlighted the gendered experience of aging in the entertainment industry, a theme poignantly depicted in the film. Then, lightening the atmosphere slightly, she added with a grin, “And a spray tan helps.”
TIFF, renowned for its critical and commercial impact, has, through “The Last Showgirl,” once again underscored the timeless appeal and evolving talents of its attending artists. For Pamela Anderson, this film marks an extraordinary milestone in a career that has traversed glamor, controversy, and now, critical acclaim. With warm applause resonating through the festival, Anderson’s role as Shelley heralds a new chapter not just for her but for age-defying talents in the entertainment industry.
Published – September 07, 2024, 11:45 am IST
World cinema
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English cinema
