Last Call

Jeremy Irons - arguably the best living actor - truly becomes "Scott" in this harrowing display of creative downward spirals with momentary glimpses of genius.

Instead of glorifying or overly romanticizing the subject, the director paints a picture of the subtle and not-so-subtle relationship dynamics among the characters; particularly the struggles of Fitzgerald and his lovely, devoted and talented assistant.

This is one of those rare finds in the world of movies that falls under the radar but once discovered, becomes a treasure to the viewer.

Very nicely done.


Jeremy masterfully portrays F Scott Fitzgerald   October 28, 2006
ames28 (MA USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Jeremy Irons gets inside the head of F. Scott Fitzgerald in his last attempt at a novel. On the outside, Mr. Irons has a perfect Tuxedo Park, NY accent, with strains of the midwest and the south, in which F Scott Fitzgerald lived. On the inside, Irons gets the brass nerve evident in the personality of F Scott Fitzgerald through his books. He portrays the rising to the occasion of writing the book "The Last Tycoon" to a tee, complete with the brass nerve, the games alcoholics play, the eccentricity of Mr. Fitzgerald and the somewhat childlike but occasionally brusque treatment of his secretary, played by Neve Campbell. We never doubt that F. Scott Fitzgerald is a genius and we root for his comeback.

The story moves along at a nice pace, with glamorous sets to boot, one reminiscent of the Brown Derby, where everyone that was anyone in Hollywood hung out. Neve Campbell should not be underestimated as a natural at portraying Mr. Fitzgerald's foil in this, e.g. she picks up his slack, even disposing of alcohol bottles because Mr. Fitzgerald is too paranoid to do it himself. She has a bundleful of feelings for him. We never doubt that F. Scott Fitzgerald is a genius and we root for his comeback.


Accurate & Excellent   October 13, 2008
Billyjack D'Urberville (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a very accurate portrayal of Scott Fitzgerald's last days as he struggles to create the novel The Last Tycoon under the eye of a youthful secretary who basically must become his housewife. The story is not only about writing, but about a talented man's struggle to maintain his decency and integrity after totally blowing out his personality with a monstrous addiction to alcohol. He mainly succeeds, not always, but it is the sort of thing which ought to be shown at AA meetings.

Scott was eccentric to start with, of course. His institutionalized wife Zelda comes into his view in flashbacks that look like demented alcoholic dreams, in which Zelda is interestingly interpreted by Sissy Spacek. Nave Campbell's portrayal of the secretary is great, and Irons' inhabitation of Fitzgerald very shrewd, going for essences, and entirely convincing. This is one of those rare movies which convincingly grapples with the creative process, even as it survives under impossible circumstances. Highly recommended.


Oh, How I Remember Meeting Scott at Shelia's, at a Cocktail Party...   December 23, 2009
Kenneth A. Nelson (Pensacola, FL)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Watching this film was like a trip back in my own history. Jeromey Irons caught the roller coaster personality of Scott. The designers couldn't have come closer in large scope and detail in sets, costumes, people and the "attitude" generally shared by that generation.

I was very plesantly surprised when I ran across this film. I hadn't known it existed. How did it escape my "film-dar?"

The stories about Scott's life were never as interesting as the lifes of those in his books. His drinking kept him away from his productive side too long. Just imagine had he not lost so many years to his Gin, how many more hours of pleasure would have been enjoyed by a world of readers.

The film was magnetic to me. It pulled me directly into the story, the action, the life. Wait a minute... I'm only 62. I never met F. Scott Fitzgerald in person. I suppose the film did it's duty by involving me so thoroughly that I believed I was there.

Good work Folks!


Great lead characters, great sets, weak script   March 7, 2008
C. J. Leach (Midwest, United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

The lead roles; Jeremy Irons playing the tortured F Scott Fitzgerald, and Neve Campbell playing his secretary Frances, were superbly performed. I can't even recall who the other actors were (such as Sissy Spacek playing Fitzgerald's insane wife). The backdrop sets showing a 1930's Hollywood and environs were also very nicely executed.

Fitzgerald is portrayed as the tortured genius - recklessly squeezing the most out of life and his failing body. His young secretary Frances, is shown by Campbell to be a novice star-struck author and loyal secretary to Fitzgerald . . . rather wise for her years. Again, with the beautiful 1930's L.A. backdrop and the strong leads, this could'a/should'a been a great movie. In my opinion the screenplay let it down. A case of "all dressed up and nowhere to go . . . ."

Moderately entertaining and a bit of an education on the private life of the popular author. 3 and a half stars.