The Last Tycoon

Adapted by the estimable Harold Pinter from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, this intriguing 1976 mounting of the not-so-veiled biographical tale of a young, hotshot movie producer (based on Irving Thalberg) is nearly undone by the stodgy direction of the usually reliable Elia Kazan (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire). Robert De Niro stars amidst a supporting cast of heavyweights (Robert Mitchum, Jack Nicholson, Jeanne Moreau, et al.) and shining newcomers (Theresa Russell, Ingrid Boulting), but even De Niro--whose character Monroe Stahr remains an enigma to the end--doesn't bring much oomph to the numerous slackly-paced scenes. On the plus side, the art direction and set design feel authentically '30s-era, and the widescreen transfer on this extra-less disc is very nearly pristine. A sometimes fascinating star-studded failure, this is a strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)