The Final Curtain

Unlike some other reviewers here, I simply didn't much like this film. The unlikeable, selfish characters, the jumpy schizoid story and the flashy direction.

I'm sure it has much to say, or has said, in the same way that Scorsese's The King Of Comedy, Sidney Lumet's Network and Barry Levinson's Wag the Dog, all about the nastier, crueler side of television but without being as nastily cruel as The Final Curtain appears to always be.

I'm afraid Peter O'Toole swearing at every opportunity isn't a good thing, however adorably crusty he's supposed to be. Maybe I watched the DVD I bought for 66.6p at Cash Converters on a bad night, maybe it does hold much treasure within. I will undoubtedly try it again some day and hopefully get more from it.

Peter O'Toole may be the only reason to watch "The Final Curtain", and it's of course a fabulous performance, although he is not given much to work with. The main problem here is that all the other actors are painfully bad and the script doesn't have the spark of "Trainspotting". All these young actors simply lack the charm and the talent to stand up to O'Toole, so their characters are utterly unconvincing and clichéd.

It's a shame when you look at it because you can't help but feel that Peter O'Toole's enormous talent is not being used properly. The movie's good intentions are noted, but the satire is pretty thin under this undistinguished direction, and there are clumsy plot holes throughout. I don't mean to say that this is a bad movie, but it could have been much better. Watch it for Peter's multi-layered performance, there's nothing like it.

J. J. Curtis is a fading star in the game show world. After seeing a young novelist named Jonathan Stitch win a prestigious award, Curtis hires the scribe to pen his biography. He believes it will bring him more attention, which he needs if he is to beat rival game show host and mortal enemy Dave Turner in the ratings war. As Stitch spends time with Curtis, he realises the man isn't the charming fellow he seems on television, but a ruthless manipulator that will do anything and everything to get what he wants. Will the aging host's machinations spell disaster for Stitch, or will he be beaten at his own game?

Directed by Patrick Harkins and written by John Hodge, 'The Final Curtain' is an uneven black-comedy that tells a somewhat familiar story- but tells it well. Touching upon themes such as the loss of fame and the search for legacy, the contrast between reality and appearance, as well as the relationship between art and life, the film explores some interesting ideas. Hodge's dialogue is witty and acerbic and- though a little one dimensional- most of his characters are believable. J. J. Is a particularly interesting subject, a man fuelled by his own sense of self-importance, and his struggle to secure his place in a rapidly changing industry is engaging.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The narrative is uneven and some of Hodge's characters are underdeveloped and exaggerated. Turner is a one-dimensional villain, who is both whiny and irritating - character traits only amplified by Aidan Gillen's over-the-top performance. Stitch is also something of a wet-blanket, who does not make for a very compelling central character. He lacks agency and personality, and his relationship with his girlfriend is poorly explored. Moreover, the twists and turns that populate the film's latter half are largely predictable and unsatisfying.

Oliver Curtis's cinematography isn't much to write home about either, being competent but unremarkable. While it tells the story and sets the mood, it lacks visual flair or style. Curtis uses conventional shots and angles, naturalistic lighting and muted colours, with some contrast and highlights to heighten emotions in certain scenes; though no image he captures is particularly memorable. Overall, his cinematography is adequate and functional, but not distinctive.

On the other hand, Kave Quinn's production design is commendable. She faithfully captures the look and feel of two very different game shows, one modern and the other traditional. Mark Thomas's score is atmospheric and grand, adding additional drama and tension to proceedings. Susannah Buxton's costume design is also worth mentioning, as it adds to the characters personalities and identities, as well as to the contrast between the two game shows.

'The Final Curtain' finds Peter O'Toole on top form as J. J. Curtis, delivering a performance that is a masterclass in menace. Charming, bitter and cynical, he plays the man as a sleazy arch manipulator in the style of J. J. Hunsecker. He dominates the film, and is clearly having a ball with the material. Alongside him, Adrien Lester does fine work as Stitch, even if the role isn't exactly demanding. He manages to convey the curiosity and conflict of the writer, who is torn between his admiration and disgust for Curtis, and has good chemistry with O'Toole. Aidan Gillen hams it up as Turner, seeming hell bent on chewing as much scenery as he can; though has some strong scenes when he chooses to underplay it.

'The Final Curtain' is an entertaining but flawed comic-drama exploring themes of television and fame, featuring sharp dialogue and a brilliant performance from Peter O'Toole. The film suffers from an uneven narrative and a predictable last act, but also boasts some compelling elements, such as the stirring score and the high-quality production design. Above all else though, it is worth watching for O'Toole's portrayal of J. J. Curtis, a fascinatingly complex character who will keep you hooked until the curtain falls.

I recently watched this film on the Sundance channel, and it was wonderful. The performances were great, and it was especially enjoyable to watch Peter O'Toole. I think he gave one of his best contemporary performances in this film. You can tell he is still a master at his craft. This is a great film to watch on a rainy afternoon - great story, great cast. This film is wonderful and it gives you a glimpse into the dark world of show business - the shrewdness, the sometimes shady dealings that get people where they are in the industry. The tale the film tells is well woven and well told. I would recommend this film for younger audiences (18+) who maybe have not seen some of Peter O'Toole's older films. I think it is a great way for them to see a true master who is still at the top of his craft even though he is in the autumn of his years. A great film!

The performances and the production values are high quality. I watched the movie on cable TV. I found myself engaged in the story line, the dialogue and the plot. But, near the end, it was clear where the plot was going before it actually got there. This, plus the unredeemming qualities of the main character, lead me to place it on my personal not-worth-watching-again list.