She Works Hard for the Money: ‘The Last Showgirl’ Embodies Our Changing Attitude Toward Sex Workers

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In past times, individuals engaged in sex work were often portrayed negatively in movies and society at large. They weren’t referred to as “sex workers” back then. For example, when Demi Moore played one in 1996, the movie was titled “Striptease.” In numerous film reviews I’ve written, I’ve used the term “prostitute” for people who get paid for sexual services. However, the growing discomfort with these terms – also “stripper” – signifies a significant shift in the perception of sex work: no longer as a unique, shameful, partially clandestine profession but merely as…work.

Reflecting on the significant evolution in cinema, consider how different things are today compared to “Showgirls,” a film released three decades ago. It was notoriously panned as a poor movie, but over time, it’s gained a cult following for its bold embrace of the gritty glamour found within the seedy world of Las Vegas nightlife. Initially, many critics, most of whom were men, criticized “Showgirls” because it dared to glorify something as supposedly lowbrow as aspiring to become a Vegas showgirl. After all, didn’t Elizabeth Berkley’s character Nomi have unworthy dreams? Instead, the film could be seen as celebrating ambition and resilience in the face of societal expectations.

To understand how things have changed, consider “The Last Showgirl,” the plucky independent drama that defied expectations. Previously famous for her role as the curvaceous starlet on “Baywatch,” Pamela Anderson here reclaims both the job of a Vegas showgirl and her identity as an actress, shaped by the male-dominated entertainment industry. The buzz surrounding Anderson’s performance has been significant (with potential Oscar nomination on the horizon), which might seem like simple sentimentality. However, is this appreciation primarily for her acting skills, or does it stem from our desire to reevaluate a performer who was once synonymous with a television pin-up and later became associated with a leaked sex tape scandal?

In “The Last Showgirl,” I found myself witnessing a raw and authentic portrayal by Kristen Anderson. Unlike her usual glamorous appearances, here she is stripped bare, both physically and emotionally. The character of Shelly, an aging burlesque dancer, reflects not just the physical reality of Anderson, but also her inner turmoil. The familiar breathy voice that we’ve come to associate with Anderson takes on a new dimension in this film, embodying the fragile yet resilient spirit of Shelly. It’s a performance that exposes the actress’ vulnerabilities, making it more Bibi Andersson than Pamela Anderson. This isn’t just a story about a showgirl; it’s a poignant exploration of a woman clinging to her last vestiges of glamour as she navigates the harsh realities of a life post-performance.

Is working as a Vegas showgirl considered a form of “sex work”? While it does involve partial nudity, it can be seen as falling on the spectrum. The movie “The Last Showgirl” effectively portrays this ambiguity, as Shelly’s daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd), dismisses her mother’s performance in Le Razzle Dazzle as a shallow striptease act. However, the film also presents Shelly as standing up for herself and defending the show as a surviving remnant of Parisian lido culture. In essence, she was neglectful by leaving Hannah in the car while she danced and chased her dreams, but she was also captivated by the allure of performance, even if it was in flashy costumes. The film’s complexity lies in its portrayal of Shelly as both a performer in a burlesque show, which some might label as “stripping,” and an artist with a passion for her craft. Despite her flaws, she remained driven by her dream.

The unique charm and freshness of “The Last Showgirl” lies in its unpolished indie approach as it delves into the essence of that dream. Director Gia Coppola, along with screenwriter Kate Gersten, employ Shelly’s narrative to dissect the historical implications of stripping for money: the cost, the decisions it symbolizes, and the allure it embodies. The film repositions Pamela Anderson as an actress, and a significant aspect of her portrayal is her efforts to restore the humanity of numerous women who held similar roles, often perceived as ‘degraded’ by society due to prejudices that failed to recognize them.

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2025-01-23 00:18