Last Call (2002) (TV)

Director:

Henry Bromell

Writers:

Henry Bromell (writer)
Frances Kroll Ring (book)

Release Date:

25 May 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Jeremy Irons	...	F. Scott Fitzgerald
Neve Campbell	...	Frances Kroll
Sissy Spacek	...	Zelda Fitzgerald
Shannon Lawson	...	Sarah Kroll
Paul Hecht	...	Samuel Kroll
Natalie Radford	...	Sheilah Graham
Kathleen Munroe	...	Scottie
Brian Paul	...	Dr. Mahoney
Marium Carvell	...	Lucy
Roman Podhora	...	Bartender
Edie Inksetter	...	Mailclerk
Eve Crawford	...	Librarian
David Clement	...	Waiter
John Ford	...	Maxwell Perkins
Matthew Olver	...	Attendant

Also Known As:

Against the Current (USA) (working title)
Fitzgerald (USA)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Showtime Networks

Quotes:

F. Scott Fitzgerald: If you go I'll start drinking.
Frances Kroll: That is blackmail.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: Damn straight.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Star gives star performance in made-for-TV movie

Does Jeremy Irons ever give less? This is currently being shown on the British Movies24 channel. Jeremy Irons gives a perfectly judged performance, perfect for every expression, spoken word or even glance. He had though good material to work with - its basis in the recollections of one of the films main protagonists, his secretary, Frances Kroll, who herself was a would-be writer. The direction too seemed to perfectly follow the mood - even Frances' unspoken thoughts especially expectations. The only thing to jar was that at these moments of unspoken thoughts, a song would be played in the background spelling out exactly these unspoken thoughts.

Neve Campbell was excellent as Frances - in her playing perhaps her attitude was a little wrong - he the great writer, she rather mousy unknown secretary would have been perhaps a bit more reverential. But it may be Frances Kroll's writing which reveals the true nature of their relationship, that moment nearly at the end when he stops, turns to her and she (and the audience) could imagine an offer of marriage yet he "merely" wants to say something about writing. Overall it is a rich and revealing biography from someone who was both closely involved as well as being a good and honest writer. Perhaps this is why Jeremy Irons gave it his best shot.