The Last Tycoon

Fitzgerald's unfinished novel transfers awkwardly to the screen but is saved from oblivion by that always-fascinating actor De Niro, who essays the role of the movie mogul (based on MGM's Irving Thalberg). The film opens with De Niro very much in a position of power at his studio, backed by his mentor and friend Mitchum, and guiding the careers of such people as matinee idol Curtis, who is going through an identity crisis. (Curtis, in an unintentional burlesque of his role, is unbelievably bad as a cross between John Gilbert and Ramon Novarro.) De Niro spots an attractive young girl, Boulting, who strolls onto the set and floats around on a huge prop in the studio ...