Elia Kazan methodically directs Harold Pinter's limp adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's last (and unfinished) novel about a workaholic movie mogul (named Monroe Stahr, who bears a literary resemblance to Irving Thalberg) under pressure in 1930s Hollywood. As played by the gaunt, seemingly still-green Robert De Niro, this tycoon never comes to life, and since he is at the center of the piece, it simply plods along to a soulless conclusion. Great supporting players (including Jack Nicholson, Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jeanne Moreau, Dana Andrews and Anjelica Huston) end up just standing around, while the film's period-flavor disappoints and the golden-toned cinematography never envelopes us (nothing in the film is visually lyrical, which may be why Kazan resorted to some 'classy' nude shots to spike the action). One may sense the production is a heady one, with a great deal of prestige behind it, but it never builds a head of steam and is mainly aloof and alienating. ** from ****
Review of The Last Tycoon
