On L List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


The Last Tycoon (1976)

Rate: 5
Viewed: 1/15

LastTy
1/15: The final line of The Last Tycoon, which was said by Robert De Niro's character, is "I don't want to lose you."

Too late. A relaxing period picture for the most part, it's unfortunately flat, goes nowhere, and ends an half-hour early. Furthermore, the story drags and drags with no resolution in sight. The dialogue is lifeless and seems purposeless.

Robert De Niro is perfectly capable of the role, and I think he did fine. Ingrid Boulting, who plays Kathleen Moore, takes attention away from him whenever her cherubic face appears. Strangely, she looks like Evelyn Mulwray's sister-daughter. Robert Mitchum keeps his character low-key as much as possible.

Beyond the aforementioned thespians, I'm afraid there's not much to work with. Jack Nicholson looks displeased for being cast. The performances by Jeanne Moreau and Tony Curtis in the picture within The Last Tycoon are pathetic.

A notable significance is that it's based on the final, although incomplete, novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald before he drank himself to death. It's also the final film for Elia Kazan who's more well known for directing A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, and East of Eden.

All in all, The Last Tycoon has made me wish many times for something, anything at all, to happen, but nothing ever does.