Between Pinter's sparse dialogue and Kazan's method direction there are scenes that go on far too long because the actors are constantly pausing for dramatic effect. De Niro is excellent as the Thalberg like mogul .Nicholson also very good playing the union big shot in perhaps the smallest role of his career post Easy Rider. At points when DeNiro is at the studio or in the screening room The Last Tycoon is a very compelling look at Hollywood of the 30s. However the romance with DeNiro and the enigmatic very enigmatic too too enigmatic Ingrid Boulting brings the film to an absolute standstill. It never recovers and the ending is anticlimactic. I agree with the reviewer who thinks Teresa Russell is awful. So is the unattractive Jeanne Moreau. I've never understood her appeal. Tony Curtis and Robert Mitchum give their usual competent performances. Worth one viewing but that's about it.
Review of The Last Tycoon
