AMP in the post
In this emotional ensemble drama directed by Gia Coppola, Anderson plays Shelley, a Las Vegas showgirl who has spent 30 years performing in the same show, “Le Razzle Dazzle.”
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Friday, delves into Shelley’s life as she faces the uncertainty of losing her career and navigating personal challenges, including reconnecting with her estranged daughter.
Anderson Talks Movie Preparations And How She Resonated With Shelley’s Journey
“I think I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role,” Anderson, 57, expressed during a Q&A session after the film’s premiere. Reflecting on her past roles in films like Barb Wire and Raw Justice, she admitted, “It’s the first time I ever read a good script… I never had a script given to me that was coherent, so I was like, I really want to do this.”
Shelley’s journey mirrors Anderson’s own, as she navigates her character’s struggles of auditioning alongside younger dancers and dealing with emotional baggage.
Her best friend in the film, Annette (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), also faces a similar transition, having retired from show business. Other key characters include the “Razzle Dazzle” stage manager (played by Dave Bautista) and Shelley’s much younger co-workers, portrayed by Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka.
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How ‘The Last Showgirl’ Resonates With The Cast
Bautista recalled that about eight years ago, he found himself in a professional rut, constantly being typecast in action roles. “I was searching for meaningful stuff,” Bautista shared, explaining how his journey led to meeting Coppola and eventually joining the cast of this heartfelt drama.
For Curtis, the film resonated on multiple levels. “It is a movie about going after your dreams, but also about facing harsh realities, especially for women,” Curtis said. “Annette is simply your portal into what ends up happening. And a spray tan helps,” she added humorously.
Brenda Song, another key cast member, said she was at a “career crossroads” when she received the call to audition. “I was sitting in the parking lot at Costco when my agent called,” Song reminisced, expressing her gratitude for being part of the film.
For Billie Lourd, who plays Shelley’s daughter, Hannah, the film offered a deeply personal experience. Lourd drew parallels between the relationship in the film and her own family dynamics with her mother, Carrie Fisher, and grandmother, Debbie Reynolds.
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“Playing this character was cathartic for me because it felt like Shelley was my grandma, and I got to be my mom,” Lourd revealed. “Pamela was like a mother to me on this film, and I feel so lucky.”
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Production Timeline And Coppola’s Decision
The Last Showgirl was filmed in just 18 days, but it arrived at a significant time for several cast members.
Director Gia Coppola knew Anderson was the perfect fit for the role from the start. “There was a gut instinct about Pamela that I was compelled by,” Coppola told Reuters. Anderson’s Netflix documentary Pamela: A Love Story had further solidified Coppola’s belief that no one else could bring the same depth to Shelley.
The film, which shines a light on the realities behind the glamour of Las Vegas, has given Anderson a role she truly connects with. As her co-star Curtis put it, “I hope we will all have a newfound appreciation for her talents after seeing this movie.”
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