Which form best rewrites "The movie was very interesting." using "interest"?

The phrase "The movie was of great interest" effectively transforms the original sentence while maintaining its meaning. By using "interest" in this context, it indicates that the movie captured the audience's attention and engagement. This construction emphasizes the level of interest that the movie generates, which aligns closely with the meaning of the original sentence.

This option also adheres to more formal English usage. It indicates that the movie itself possesses qualities that make it engaging, as opposed to merely suggesting that there were external factors or a multitude of people interested in it, which can be implied by other options. The phrase conveys a strong connection between the subject (the movie) and the quality of interest it generates, highlighting its value in a compelling way.