The Last Tycoon

Its funny because I just had a great conversation with some friends about a how much money the movie studios are making these days. Then I decided to give a look at the pilot for The Last Tycoon .I never read the book so I'm going in clean. I love period pieces, the costumes and the language, they are divine. Mat boomer is a great actor and seems to always have a glimmer in his eye. Whether it is be because of the pain in his heart or because of the revenge he looking to get, its always there. The rest of the cast played their roles in a satisfactory measurement. I do believe that there is an opportunity to to improve the dull relationships and obvious lackluster attitudes in this depression era movie. Good thing is that there is room for improvement, and with F Scott Fitzgerald at the root, there is a great possibility.

Saw this great pilot on Amazon. I'm a Fitzgerald fan and I was curious how they would treat this show, given that the author never got a chance to complete and expand on the book. I'm impressed with the way this show gave life to so many things only alluded to in the book. Nazis during that time must have definitely had a lot of influence on the Hollywood politics in those days, just as some other power groups have it today. Glad the show is addressing that angle. Monroe Stahr, the protagonist, played amazingly well by Matt Bomer is a fascinating character. He is kind of a prodigy when it comes to the movie making business, a self made man, yet emotionally tortured, and of a weak heart due to congenital heart disease. The other characters, such as Kelsy Grammar as Pat Brady, Lily Collins as Cecilia Brady were great in their roles. The show has quite a few interesting characters. Really hope it gets picked up and we get to see more of this interesting story.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Tycoon. It is beautifully filmed and the costumes are gorgeous. I loved the way it takes you back in time to experience another era in Hollywood. The show also reflects the political climate at the time. I didn't know the German market was so important to Hollywood. The show emphasizes the clout the Germans had in the script development and the casting. Amid all the Hollywood glamour - the reality of the business is depicted. The casting is very good. I'm eager to follow the development of the different characters. The Last Tycoon is a refreshing change from the usual choices on TV. I will definitely recommend it to my friends as a must watch new show.

Add The Last Tycoon to the likes of Firefly and The Tonight Show for shows that should never have been canceled. This show is on par with Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, and Downton Abbey. It has a great core, with the ability to be a classic, but sadly it only got one season.

The Last Tycoon gives a look into a time and world completely missed by modern movies. Pre WWII Hollywood and the nuanced issues that comes with a world on the brink of war. Unbelievably talented cast, great writing, amazing costumes, and just the right amount of twist and drama. I'm incredibly disappointed that it was canceled. Each actor was made to play their character.

It's amazing how after one season Matt Bomer will forever be Monroe Star, Lilly Collins will forever be Cecilia Brady, and Dominique McElligot will always be Kathleen Moore. Amazon really screwed up with the decision to cancel.

Those who complain that this series was canceled don't understand that it wasn't supposed to be a continuing series. It was supposed to be Fitzgerald's greatest but unfinished novel, finished appropriately.

What they wound up adding to finish it was some typical Hollywood junk that Fitzgerald would never have written, that Stahr (or Thalberg) would never have produced. But it's pretty good junk, as Hollywood junk goes. The production is beautiful, the plot isn't too silly, and Kelsey Grammer's performance is great fun to watch. So I give it a 7, a good effort and well worth watching.

But it still should not have gone beyond its nine episodes. That wrapped up the plot and was the end. To go further would mean adding real Hollywood junk. The greatest skill is knowing when to stop.