The Last Showgirl Ending, Explained

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  • The Semi-Ambiguous Ending
  • What It All Means
  • A Meta Reading of the Story Provides Some Answers

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that The Last Showgirl is a cinematic masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of a legendary star like Pamela Anderson. From her humble beginnings as a Baywatch babe to her iconic status as a sex symbol and beyond, this film brilliantly portrays the trials and tribulations of a woman who refused to be silenced or sidelined by an industry that often treats women like disposable commodities.

Gia Coppola’s film titled “The Last Showgirl” began generating excitement following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. Praised as a transformative performance, this movie, “The Last Showgirl,” is embarking on an awards campaign with a limited release in December 2024 for an Academy Award-eligible run before expanding nationwide in January 2025. Already, the film has garnered two Golden Globe nominations: one for Pamela Anderson in the Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama category and another for Miley Cyrus’ song “Beautiful That Way” in the Best Original Song category.

“The Final Curtain

In this analysis, we will decipher the meaning behind the finale of “The Last Showgirl,” along with an explanation of some significant lyrics from Miley Cyrus’ award-worthy song.

What Is ‘The Last Showgirl’ About?

“The Final Dance

In addition to Shelly, her friends are encountering personal hardships too. Her close friend and ex-colleague Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis) is providing emotional support during this challenging time. However, after losing her job, Annette decides to move in with Shelly, as they both struggle to meet their rent expenses in these uncertain economic times. On the other hand, Jodie seeks comfort in Shelly’s presence, weeping as she comes to terms with the fact that her family has disowned her due to her chosen career path.

After arguing with her daughter Hannah, Shelly finds it hard to let others help her. This leads Jodie to act distant during their next performance, refusing to assist Shelly with her complex costume before the show begins. As a result, Shelly rushes and ends up tearing part of her costume when it snags on a door handle. Unfortunately, even though the show was canceled, this incident will still be deducted from Shelly’s final salary by the company.

The Semi-Ambiguous Ending

As the final show day nears, Shelly reluctantly decides to put aside her reservations and try out for another Vegas production she once criticized. This show was one Jodie had considered, due to its overtly sexual nature. However, Shelly’s audition is declined by the director (Jason Schwartzman), who prefers a younger performer. This decision sparks Shelly’s anger, as she feels the world unfairly limits opportunities for women past a certain age who don’t conform to conventional beauty standards. At the same audition, Mary-Ann intervenes and calms Shelly down, but her frustration boils over, leaving everyone involved.

In the end, the movie concludes with the night of the climactic performance. Although The Last Showgirl frequently discusses the show Shelly performs in, it isn’t depicted on screen until the film’s closing moments. The audience is given hints through Shelly discussing the show’s backstory, characters seen going on and off stage, and Hannah sharing her thoughts about the show she had just witnessed. As tension mounts, the movie culminates with Shelly’s grand finale performance. Interestingly, the spectators remain unseen; instead, the camera zeroes in on the performance itself, predominantly Shelly. Under a glaring spotlight and accompanied by Miley Cyrus’ “Beautiful That Way,” Shelly seizes her moment to shine, confirming her stardom.

What It All Means

In the finale of “The Last Showgirl,” the spectators are left uncertain about Shelly’s future or that of her colleagues. Will there be a complete reconciliation with her daughter? Will she mend fences with Mary-Ann and Jodie, or will their connection falter once the curtain comes down on the show? These questions remain unanswered, as for this final performance, they hold no significance to Shelly. This is her moment under the limelight, a stage she has graced for three decades. She intends to savor every instant and bid farewell to the spotlight one last time. The world and its troubles fade away on stage, leaving only the dancers in focus. In essence, this is Shelly’s time to shine, and she has rightfully earned it.

As I watched the last scene unfold in the film, there was a moment where Shelly’s face lit up with a radiant smile – it was a sight to behold. Her joy was palpable as she engaged in something that resonated deeply within her, a sense of comfort and fulfillment oozing from every pore. This scene reminded me of Miley Cyrus’ lyrics: “Just like a rose red in its glow/She dances with grace/Yet sharp as thorns she can be/A sight to behold, that’s her grace.

Shelly’s final dance was filled with a bittersweet smile that hinted at hidden tears, a mix of joy and sorrow. The song played on during the credits, crooning about spinning and the night falling, suggesting her time in the spotlight might be over. The lyrics continued with “Spin, baby, spin, the night always falls/At least you had your day,” hinting at someone else’s rise to fame. It seems difficult to let go of something cherished, yet everything eventually fades away, including Shelly’s moment in the spotlight, which now appears uncertain.

A Meta Reading of the Story Provides Some Answers

In a similar vein to how 2008’s “The Wrestler” used Mickey Rourke’s career as a subject of reflection (earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor), “The Last Showgirl” is a film that cleverly employs the audience’s understanding and assumptions about star Pamela Anderson to its advantage. Similar to Marilyn Monroe, Anderson has often been underestimated due to her reputation as a sex symbol, and her acting skills have not always received the recognition they deserve. Although her fame may not be at its peak from the 90s and early 2000s, Anderson has taken charge of her narrative by reshaping her career. She made a remarkable debut as Roxie Hart on Broadway, but she also garnered a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “The Last Showgirl.

The interaction between Shelly and the casting director, who discards her due to her age, symbolizes the unfair treatment of women in the media, where older females are often replaced by younger actresses. However, Anderson demonstrates she is far from finished and is merely beginning anew. She refuses to let anyone dictate when her career ends. This perspective hints at a promising future for Shelly, although the movie may not confirm it. Shelly’s progress in recent years could be a sign of what lies ahead, implying that Shelly’s most successful days are yet to come. Regardless of the future, in the present, Shelly and star Pamela Anderson continue to shine just as brightly as they always have.

On December 13, 2024, the movie titled “The Last Showgirl” is set to debut in select theaters. A broader release will follow on January 10, 2025.

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2024-12-13 18:02