Filme #7
The Last Showgirl (EUA, 2024) Ainda sem título em português
Original title: The Last Showgirl
Director: Gia Coppola
Writer/Screenplay: Kate Gersten
Main cast: Pamela Anderson, Dave Bautista, John Clofine, Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Hilgart, Billie Lourd e Brenda Song
Runtime: 85 minutes (1°25’)
It’s impossible to start writing a text about a Gia Coppola movie without mentioning the fact that she’s a nepo-baby, the granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola and the niece of Sofia Coppola. In other words, it’s undeniable that her starting point is a bit forward than most, even with an independent production, that’s a little more privileged than any director without contacts or possible mentors.
That said, The Last Showgirl is still an independent film. It was shot in less than 20 days, with no major studios involved and a tight budget, as is usually the case. Even so, the director decided to tell the story brought by a script written more than ten years ago by Kate Gersten about a Las Vegas burlesque show that’s coming to an end from the point of view of Shelley (Pamela Anderson), its longest-serving performer. Having dedicated her entire career to show business, at 50 years old her life possibilities seem somewhat undermined.
Pamela Anderson's casting for the lead role is a highlight, given the actress and writer's personal history. Having started her career in the 1980s and always being very linked to a highly sexualized image, most of the roles she was cast for were linked to a sensual image. Despite her efforts to show other facets, the stereotype remains present even today - and so the meeting between Shelley and Pam seems inevitable. The actress is able to provide a compassionate interpretation for the character, showing little explored aspects of her own acting and bringing something of her own personality to it. From her voice forced to become more sweet to her voluminous blonde hair, all the elements come together and create something truly memorable for the actress's career.
Even though Shelley is the protagonist and most striking character, directing the actors is an essential element of the film, and Gia shows extreme competence in doing so. With big stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista, the paths chosen by the characters are not always the ones that would seem most obvious to us, but they happen naturally and fluidly on screen.
Still, there are elements in the work that make it strange. The first of these is the unavoidable, very circular script with very American references, which is not very accessible to people who are not familiar with the stereotypes of Las Vegas that the film takes as familiar. Since even the theme of the work depends heavily on these specific situations in the region, the more universal message of a woman who faces a life focused on a goal and sees that goal disappear is not conveyed in this more comprehensive way. At the same time, the character study presented is not very complex, and even its short duration seems extended to what is being discussed.
Another element that clashes with what is being presented is the film's photography. There’s a clear concern with the aesthetics and visual appeal of the film, based in sunny Nevada, but perhaps due to the short duration of the filming, there are many moments where the camera seems to lose focus unintentionally. As the film tries to convey a sense of greater production value, with all the beautiful costumes and diverse locations, these moments feel quite out of place and lead the viewer to disconnect from the screen.
The film has many interesting elements, but it’s undeniable that its main focus is on a cast of great stars who are well directed throughout the plot. Pamela Anderson's performance is impeccable, and leaves us curious about the next steps in her career.
Translation: Renata Torres
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