Directed by Gia Coppola, granddaughter of the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, the film features Anderson in the role of a seasoned showgirl forced to reassess her future after her long-running Las Vegas show is unexpectedly canceled after three decades. This performance has earned Anderson her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, marking her first nomination for a major acting award.
The Last Showgirl is being celebrated as a remarkable comeback for Anderson, a screen icon best known for her role as C.J. Parker on Baywatch. However, it has been years since she took on a significant film role, with her most recent appearance being a cameo in the 2017 Baywatch film. Prior to that, she starred as the Invisible Girl in the cult classic parody Superhero Movie in 2008. This new project not only represents her first leading role in years but also showcases her best reviews to date, breaking a notable Rotten Tomatoes record for her filmography. With a critic score of 78% based on 64 professional reviews, The Last Showgirl has been commended for highlighting the often-overlooked working class of Las Vegas and for Anderson's standout performance.
While the film does not yet have an audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, its critics' score is the highest of Anderson’s career. It also holds a 71/100 rating on Metacritic and a 6/10 on IMDb. Although Anderson has appeared in other films that garnered fresh ratings, this is the first time she has achieved that as an actress. The 2023 Netflix documentary Pamela, a Love Story, which chronicles her life experiences, received an impressive 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned two Emmy nominations. Similarly, Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2006 mockumentary Borat, in which Anderson plays a version of herself, boasts a score of 90%. However, her role in Borat was limited to a single scene.
Why Previous Films Struggled on Rotten Tomatoes
Pamela Anderson's earlier films often faced criticism because they didn't align with the types of movies that critics tend to favor. Many of her past projects, including broad comedies and genre pieces, appealed more to mainstream audiences than to critics. While her films pre-The Last Showgirl generally received negative reviews, many have since been re-evaluated and embraced as cult classics. Her breakout role as Barbara Kopetski in 1996’s Barb Wire, a superhero film based on the Dark Horse Comics character, was initially slammed by critics, earning a meager 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. Over time, it has gained a following and is now seen as a cult favorite, often categorized as "so-bad-it's-good."
Superhero Movie holds an even lower Rotten Tomatoes score of just 16%, but it serves as an entertaining parody of 2000s superhero films, with a more coherent plot than many of its contemporaries. Yet, critics remain reluctant to praise a film titled Superhero Movie.
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What differentiates The Last Showgirl from Anderson’s past works is its heartfelt drama and the emotional depth required for her role. Unlike her previous characters, such as Barb Wire and C.J. Parker, which were relatively one-dimensional, the character of Shelly in The Last Showgirl demands more complexity and introspection. Anderson has drawn upon her personal experiences as a fading star to enrich her performance, lending authenticity to the narrative.
Ultimately, The Last Showgirl succeeds because it centers around a compelling lead character and relies on the strength of Anderson’s performance. This is the first time critics have taken one of Anderson's films seriously, as it is also the first time her work has demonstrated a commitment to serious storytelling.
The positive reception of The Last Showgirl bodes well for Anderson’s anticipated return to Hollywood. Following the documentary's success in fostering empathy for her journey, and with this film showcasing her dramatic capabilities, Anderson's future looks bright. She has several upcoming projects, including a role alongside Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin’s love interest in the Naked Gun reboot slated for next year. This comedic role will further showcase her versatility after her dramatic performance in The Last Showgirl. Additionally, Anderson is set to appear in a supporting role in the dramatic thriller Rosebush Pruning, directed by Karim Aïnouz, although a release date has yet to be announced. This film promises to highlight another powerful performance from Anderson, following her success in The Last Showgirl.
