The Last Mogul

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The Last Mogul

PG-13

Released Mar 19, 2005

1h 43m

Documentary

Biography

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Legendary Hollywood deal maker and would-be studio head Lew Wasserman oversaw Music Corporation of America's transition from talent agency to movie industry superpower, and blazed a trail in Hollywood's transition from the studio system -- where studios signed and developed in-house talent -- to the package system, where agents assembled attractive combinations of talents on a picture-by-picture basis. A divisive character who never granted interviews, Wasserman changed Hollywood forever.

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

Highly entertaining.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 4, 2005

Full Review

A.O. Scott

New York Times

Lew Wasserman, who rose from the streets of Cleveland to become the most powerful man in Hollywood, is the subject of this absorbing documentary.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 4, 2005

Full Review

Matt Singer

Village Voice

Avrich's Wasserman is less a man than a list of accomplishments, a Kane without a hint of a Rosebud and nary a whiff of significant criticism.

Nov 1, 2005

Full Review

Maitland McDonagh

TV Guide

Avrich's colorful account of Wasserman's career starts out looking like a puff piece, but quickly reveals a refreshing willingness to delve into the dirty side of a glamorous business.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 4, 2005

Full Review

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

The jazzy credit sequence uses Wasserman's trademark big black eyeglasses as a playful motif, but the film itself is all business

Rated: 3/4

Sep 1, 2005

Full Review

Oz

eFilmCritic.com

Does an impeccable job in documenting both the dark and light side of one of the most successful, yet secretive, celebrities North America has ever known.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 27, 2005

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Audience Member

At one point he was the most powerful person in Hollywood and he had a tremendous impact on the Film & Television industry. The film was a bit dry for me, but still very much worthwhile to see the behind the scenes workings of Hollywood in the Golden Era. Recommend for film lovers for sure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting if pedestrian look at someone who was so powerful yet almost unknown outside of Hollywood. They kept tip toeing around mob connections and anything shady but if you watched closely you could see that the guy was a pretty epic crook.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great documentary that informs and pays tribute to a humble but very powerful man.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Terrible production values and lousy storytelling almost derail the life and times of a really interesting man. You'll want to learn more about his behind the scenes wheeling and dealing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A real incredible journey through the beginnings of Hollywood, including Mafia involvement and enough shady deals to make Tyson blush. Wasserman was like a superhero turned washout, but things wouldn't have been the same if it were not for those thick black glasses and icy stare.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best documentaries out there on the inner workings of Hollywood. Any film lover should see what really goes on behind the scenes and this movie does exactly that. The book this film is based on is also well worth reading as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Synopsis

Legendary Hollywood deal maker and would-be studio head Lew Wasserman oversaw Music Corporation of America's transition from talent agency to movie industry superpower, and blazed a trail in Hollywood's transition from the studio system -- where studios signed and developed in-house talent -- to the package system, where agents assembled attractive combinations of talents on a picture-by-picture basis. A divisive character who never granted interviews, Wasserman changed Hollywood forever.

Director: Barry Avrich
Producer: Nat Brescia, Tori Hockin
Screenwriter: Barry Avrich
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround

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