This portrait of F. Scott Fitzgerald's last days--as a wreck, battling alcoholism and trying to write "The Last Tycoon" with considerable help from his much younger new secretary--has some digressive scenes in the middle but is primarily intelligent and involving. Jeremy Irons is excellent (though at times his Yank accent can be a bit overdone) as the past-prime author, but the surprise is that Neve Campbell (whom I haven't very often been all that impressed before) does an excellent job as the secretary seduced into this sickly, washed-up but still highly intelligent and sometimes very charming man's spell. Sissy Spacek is effective enough as Zelda Fitzgerald, although her occasional appearances as a taunting/nagging phantom of sorts are a screen writing device that doesn't totally come off. It's a fine perspective on Fitzgerald that doesn't cast him as some kind of saintly victim but gives full weight to his talent and personal weaknesses.

In "Last Call", Jeremy Irons is, in short, F. Scott Fitzgerald himself. Very much like Phillip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote", Irons has captured every mannerism and the speech of the controversial writer.A level of "classiness" is attained, often on accord of the dynamic chemistry between Irons and Campbell, who in my opinion surprised Hollywood with this great performance in an extended supporting role. Sissy Spacek was also impressive, despite her only being in the film for about twenty minutes, her appearances are very memorable, and she is absolutely magnificent.Other than the acting by Irons, Campbell and Spacek, there's really nothing that jumps out about this film. However it is an interesting look into the life of the influential and controversial writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. 6/10

A movie about what it is like to be a writer, about the process involved, the long hours and days you have no idea if you're actually going to finish whatever it is that you write, or the total lack of inspiration that can go on for years. This process is seldom shown in movies, as it is totally unattractive, and of very twisted entertainment value. The long hours of drinking, sleeping late, staring into ones self and looking into the eyes of their inner demons. And most of all a movie about the fact that writing is a calling, along with everything that comes with it.Jeremy Irons is a very versatile and sensitive actor, which can deliver a believable and dramatic interpretation, playing the widest range of characters, and at the same time remain his charismatic self, even when he plays a less likable character, as it is the case here, Sissy Spacek is always top notch and Neve Campbell proves to be more than a teen movie idol.

Checking the credits on writer/director Henry Bromell, it seems that we have someone who's written for "Chicago Hope", "Homicide" and "Northern Exposure". So a class act chooses to write about a screenplay about a writer, and the results are about what you'd expect. Pretty exceptional stuff. Jeremy Irons tosses his hat into the ring for an Emmy nom here. Another standout performance.However..the big surprise to me is the performance of Neve Campbell. Get this girl off the "Scream-4" set and into some period pieces in a big hurry, fellas. She's ready to rock and roll. Pair her up with a decent script and an Oscar-caliber actor or two and she holds her own rather nicely, thank you.Thanks to Showtime for the "Last Call" 15-minute addendum with Irons, the omni-present George Plimpton and Frances Kroll Ring briefly discussing F. Scott's greatest hits.