Pamela Anderson And Jamie Lee Curtis Shine In Gia Coppola’s ‘The Last Showgirl’ At TIFF

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The The Toronto International Film Festival, better known as TIFF, had another big premiere behind-the-scenes video shared from which the world is buzzing away again. The film was titled “The Last Showgirl,” directed by Gia Coppola and starring Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis. It premiered at TIFF24, and after an image was shared on TIFF’s official Instagram page from the spectacular movie, largely fueled conversations about its impact and stars and yes, that famous awards season snub.

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The image is pure spectacle: an over-the-top stage moment drenched in vintage Vegas glamor. Pamela Anderson, center stage and front and foremost, glitters and shines in a blue feathered costume. The showgirls around her abound in matching sparkle with that glitz being conveyed in the language of visual imagery: This movie shouts its topic. It is about showmanship, about the spotlight, and about the dimming of that light.

But it may be that the comments are where the real story lies beyond the glitter. In addition to receiving praise, TIFF’s post set off a whole host of conflicted feelings about how the film was received, its themes, and how the industry reacted to those themes.

One commenter laid it bare with perfect clarity: “A stunning, emotional work of art.” The phrase was repeated numerous times by multiple users, with others commenting expressions such as: “I cried BUCKETS” and “It breaks your heart on a cellular level.” Clearly, Coppola’s direction and Anderson’s unguarded performances hit hard for many.

But not everyone fully agreed-and this is where it got juicy. One put it plainly: “This was a highly overrated movie that went nowhere.” That was met with opposition: “It wasn’t made with you in mind,” almost as if challenging the detractor while pointing out that those speaking for the film were divided against those who had… totally missed the message.”

And then came the awards discussion. Or rather, the non-discussion thereof. Many comments swirled around the Oscar snubs for Anderson and Curtis alike, one declaring it “a CRIME” that neither were nominated. Another just said, “She deserved at least a nomination,” and indeed, in light of Pamela’s newfound reclamation of her story as an avenue of reinvention in the recent year, one can’t really disagree. The industry may not have seen it, but the audience certainly saw it.

Another user gave a thoughtful response and admitted they were uninterested in or just avoided seeing the film at first: “Maybe cause I fucking hate Vegas, I’m not sure.” But once they got to see it, they entirely flipped: “What a beautiful discussion piece,” they reflected. “So many ideas… What path is the right one for women? Mothers? Young girls? What is selfish and what is good intentions? Why do women always have to apologise?”

That, probably, is what lies at the heart of this film’s importance. It’s not just about a showgirl—it’s about womanhood, aging, worth, and visibility. It asks questions that one would rather not face, and without giving easy answers. This kind of art is what culture needs right now.

Other viewers pointed out certain features they adored, such as Jamie Lee Curtis’s scene-stealer of a moment dancing in the middle of a casino (“The best part!”) and the visual style of the movie. “The spectrum of the color palette is beautiful,” another user said. “The cinematographer and colorist nailed the emotional vibe.” Everyone noticed it; it was clear every single aspect of this whole movie was deliberate.

And the biggest fans, though. The ones who would say, “I’ve seen it in theaters eight times.” Such dedication doesn’t happen by chance. For some, this movie has really given them a scar-a very deep one.

Naturally, no film debate would be complete without some chuckles. One user jokingly commented on the practicality of Anderson’s costume: “That costume does NOT look comfy at all.”

Another wave of fun in pop-culture convergence had someone wondering if Taylor Swift-who is allegedly working on something about showgirl imagery-would really cast Pamela in her music video: “I swear if Taylor doesn’t have Pamela in her Showgirl music video I might lose my mind.” Hey, stranger things have happened.

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After all is said and done, “The Last Showgirl” is more than just a movie. It is a conversation about art, recognition, and what it means to be a woman in the spotlight. What happens to her when the light fades? Gia Coppola, in essence, didn’t just make a movie; she gave everyone a mirror to look into. And many saw themselves-sharp edges and all.