The Last Tycoon – “Pilot” Review. Lights, Camera, Nazis?

Season 1, Episode 1-9

Available: Friday, July 28, 2017 on Amazon Prime Video

Rating: ★★★★★

UPDATED – July 26

I recently screened the entire first season of Amazon’s new series The Last Tycoon, which is set in Hollywood during the 1930s. It stars Matt Bomer, Lily Collins, and Kelsey Grammer and is inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of the same name. Having previously reviewed the pilot, I wanted to write some additional thoughts on The Last Tycoon as Amazon prepares to release the show on their streaming service beginning Friday, July 28.

While much of what I wrote in my initial review remains true for the entire season, as with many series, a few noticeable adjustments were made in the subsequent episodes that were filmed months later. Fans of the pilot might be surprised to see some subplots that initially appeared to be of significance have little impact during the rest of the season, while lesser storylines suddenly have great importance. While most of the changes are subtle, a few stand out despite having little impact on the overall story.

Bomer, Grammer, and Collins might be the stars of The Last Tycoon but it’s Jennifer Beals’ portrayal of Margo Taft, a Hollywood diva with quite the reputation, that audiences will be talking about. Beals steals every scene she’s in, especially a memorable one between Margo and director Red Ridingwood (Brian Howe). Despite her limited appearance, I can’t say enough about Beals’ award-worthy performance; her scenes left me clamoring for more Margo. Any talk about a potential second season would be remiss not to include Beals in that discussion; heck, I’d watch a Margo spinoff.

The Last Tycoon is a visual masterpiece that feels more like a long movie than a series. As I mentioned in my review, The Last Tycoon is beautiful and elegant, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the look and feel of Hollywood’s golden age. The costume designs are fabulous and it should come as no surprise that Bomer is as stunning as he ever was in a suit and fedora in USA’s White Collar.

Written and directed by Billy Ray, The Last Tycoon is a beautifully told story full of fascinating characters, many of whom who weren’t introduced in the pilot. Not only do Bomer, Grammer, and Collins give outstanding performances, the story is full of twists and surprises that will leave viewers desperate for more.

Watch the entire season of The Last Tycoon on Amazon Prime Video beginning Friday, July 28.

The Last Tycoon – “Pilot” Review

“A war is when both sides put up a fight.” – Monroe Stahr

Cecelia is love-struck but does Monroe feel the same?

The Last Tycoon takes place in the 1930s where wunderkind film mogul Monroe Stahr (Matt Bomer) is making a name for himself as a studio executive. Monroe’s latest film, “American Dream, The Minna Davis Story,” is proving to be his most challenging project. After all, not only was the late Minna Davis (Jessica De Gouw) Hollywood’s sweetheart, she was Monroe’s wife

The Last Tycoon is based on the unfinished F. Scott Fitzgerald novel that was published posthumously in 1941 by Fitzgerald’s friend and fellow writer, Edmund Wilson. The novel has been adapted throughout the years, including the 1976 film of the same name starring Robert De Niro and Theresa Russell. While The Last Tycoon is a work of fiction, there is an element of reality to it as Fitzgerald based Monroe on American film producer Irving Thalberg.

In Monroe’s rise to power, he often butts heads with his mentor and studio head, Pat Brady (Kelsey Grammer). The 23-year age gap between Grammer and Bomer makes for some fascinating television. Not only is Pat a father figure for Monroe, there’s also an intense competitive spirit between the two. Despite both being talented film executives, the generational gap in thinking and ideology when it comes to running the studio is interesting to watch. This is especially true when Pat sides with the Nazis who are sent to Hollywood to oversee censorship at the studio because Monroe often finds himself at odds with them.

Kathleen and Monroe enjoying a quiet moment.

One of the signs of an engaging period piece, regardless of whether the storyline is fact or fiction, is the desire it creates to learn more about the history and era behind the story. After watching The Last Tycoon, I did some research and was surprised to learn, Germany was the second largest film market in the world during the 1930s. With the rise of Hitler, the Nazis set up shop in Hollywood and used their influence to pressure, and even threaten, Hollywood film studios to censor films that might offend the racial sensitivities of the German people.

Beautiful and elegant are two words I thought I’d never use to describe an episode of any show, yet they perfectly describe The Last Tycoon. Directed by Billy Ray, the staging of each scene is exquisite. Even the way the characters move across the screen depicts a certain level of grace in their movements. Cinematographer Danny Moder creates some dazzling tracking shots, including one reminiscent of the Beauty and the Beast chandelier shot. I liked the shot so much I went back and compared the two side by side, and the resemblance is uncanny.

The costumes worn by Bomer and Lily Collins, who plays Pat’s love-struck daughter Cecelia, as well as their performances, give the impression the two stars were plucked right out of the swinging ‘30s. It’s easy to imagine Bomer rubbing elbows with the likes of Clark Gable or Cary Grant.

As engaging as the two stars are, it’s hard not to be distracted by the world The Last Tycoon creates. Amazon appears to have spared no expense creating the series. The attention to detail—from the wardrobe to the set design—is simply amazing, making you feel like you’re actually living in the 1930s.

Will have her heart broken?

Rounding out the characters are Kathleen Moore (Dominique McElligott), a waitress who reminds Monroe of his late wife, Declan (Ryan O’Nan); Minna’s brother and writer of “American Dream, The Minna Davis Story;” and Red Ridingwood (Brian Howe), the director of the film.

There’s also Max Miner (Mark O’Brien), a homeless man who takes care of his two younger siblings Darla (Danielle Rose Russell) and Nathan (Jack Michael Doke) while living in a shantytown next to the studio. There’s something suspicious about Max, which becomes obvious after an encounter with Pat. I can’t help wondering what Pat’s intentions are when it comes to Max but I doubt he is up to any good.

Taking what Fitzgerald wrote, Ray, who both directed and wrote the pilot’s adaptation, does a wonderful job providing the audience with a fascinating glimpse into Hollywood. Through Monroe’s hands-on approach with the various studio departments—the writers, directors, set designers, actors, and industry bosses like Pat—you see all the pieces that go into making a big Hollywood picture.

The only question is, will people find The Last Tycoon? Over the last few years, there has been a dramatic change in how we watch our TV shows. With original programming on Netflix, Amazon, DirecTV, and Hulu competing with broadcast television, and cable and premium networks, the choices of what to watch and where are endless. It will be interesting to see what kind of viewership The Last Tycoon captures compared to other pilots airing in the near future.

Starting today, Amazon will allow customers to stream The Last Tycoon, along with an adaptation of the Meg Wolitzer bestseller, The Interestings, and six other pilots aimed at kids via the Amazon Video app or online. You can view The Last Tycoon at http://bit.ly/TheLastTycoon. Similar to what Amazon did in previous seasons, customer feedback will determine which pilots move forward. Given the outstanding job by Grammer, Collins, and the rest of the cast, not to mention the Emmy^®worthy performance by Bomer, The Last Tycoon should have no problem getting picked up for a full season.

Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about The Last Tycoon.

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.