Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

A Major Disappointment

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I recently read the book as recommendation from a friend, with the intent of binge watching an entire series about the book. I was beyond disappointed to learn that there was only one season. Not only was the series great in its own right, had I read the book or not, but it did a great job sticking with the story line of the book. I truly hope that the either Prime will rethink its decision of canceling the series or it will be picked up by another outlet like Netflix. I would LOVE to see the full vision of the book come to life!!

Christina Ricci as Zelda is a bizarre choice. She is almost 20 years older than what Zelda would have been at the time this story takes place. I could understand someone 5-8 years older, but 20, No. She is not able to play a teenager and looks more a matron than a flapper. Granted she is an attractive women, but a teenager she is not. This is a compete waist of time.

I looked forward to this show since its pilot in 2015. Mostly because I am interested in this famous couple. But I must confess that I was bored the first half of the first season. One episode has only half an hour and it still seemed to be unfulfilled. I almost stopped watching it but the other half somehow caught my attention. The mise-en-scene balances showing glamorous era with realistic depiction. It is believable.It is adaptation of a book focused on Zelda's story. It is Zelda's point of view. She is the heroine. But unfortunately character of F. S. Fitzgerald is depicted as a villain. For me it was not good choice to show F. Scott Fitzgerald as such a negative character. In society is big question about their relationship, who were they actually. So in the story I would appreciate more questionable representation instead of such black and white characters. At least based on season one. Maybe creators change their direction if season two takes place. Christina Ricci is fairly good choice for this role. On the other hand, David Hofflin is just hardly believable. Maybe it is problem of casting in the first place. Supporting woman roles are delightful, little caricatures of people of that era. For now, the show did not mean waste of time for me but neither a miracle.

The Jazz Age Fitzgeralds were such lightning in a bottle, that to try and capture it is audacious: we know the champagne will pour and the fame will come, and the real pain will come with the hangovers and end in despair for the both of them. But the controversial choice of Christina Ricci as Jazz Baby Number One instead of any other McAdams Barbie doll from the Hollywood shelf gives this pilot a bounce and possibility because she is such a hellcat. I'm already jonesin' for her wild gin-fed car scream rides and Paris fountain dances. And David Strathairn is such a delightfully stolid and formal southern judge for her to bounce off of. Fitz is such a limp hankie next to her--which was probably true--that watching him ignite into brilliance from her bad girl spark and become the man who could write Gatsby and fall Icarus-like back to Earth in her skirts to face the Depression is very promising. Most importantly, this is a sumptuous period piece from one of two most exciting decades of the last century. If Amazon orders more of "Z", I will be a devoted watcher. Thanks for letting us review.