The Great Gatsby (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
The frantic Jazz Age of the Roaring '20s is gloriously brought to life in 'The Great Gatsby', adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, & directed by Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Australia). At the time, NY's upper crust seemed to have it all. But behind the veneer of the glittering parties, endless booze & glossy glamour was a young populace with rotten morals and agreed that would propel the country towards corruption & a stock market crash. The film kicks into gear by following Nick Carraway (a surprising Tobey Maguire), our narrator who has left the Midwest in search of himself & a fortune. He lands in NY & rents an overgrown cottage on Long Island, which happens to be located near his fabulously rich cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan).
She and her contemptuous, philandering husband Tom (Joel Edgerton) own an enormous mansion, replete with polo horses & huge green fields to play on. What Nick doesn't realize is that the even larger mansion next to his cottage is owned by the legendary Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man with 'new' money. Though rarely seen or even recognized, he is known for his outrageous parties, which attracts the wealthy from all walks of life to his estate every weekend. But why all these extravagant parties? The answer: it's all for Daisy, whom he met as a soldier before WWI. But despite their love letters to one another, Daisy simply couldn't wait for Jay, who was born dirt poor, to make something of himself. Instead, she let Tom (and his $$) whisk her away. Love, betrayal & tragedy ensue.
For a movie of its ilk & length, 'The Great Gatsby' is absorbing; even intoxicating, at times. I'm reminded of a crucial moment in a hotel where Tom pushes too many of Gatsby's buttons - the scene is just terrifically orchestrated. I love Baz Luhrmann's passion for detail; and respect that he sticks very close to the novel. Working again with Oscar-winner Catherine Martin, I cannot say enough about her spectacular sets & gorgeous period costumes. Yes, everything is in Baz Luhrmann overdrive. To accentuate the freneticism of the Roaring '20s, Baz employs CGI effects makes and makes the tried-&-true decision to use contemporary music in the soundtrack; collaborating with such artists as Jay Z, his wife Beyonce, Florence + The Machine, Gotye, Fergie, Will.i.am, Alicia Keys, & Lana Del Rey.
And now I come to Leonardo DiCaprio. My goodness. THIS is the Leo of old. Movie star Leo. Magnetic, suave, slender, golden-haired, golden-skinned, effortlessly charismatic, & playful. I was reminded of the Titanic/Catch Me If You Can days. In other words, he doesn't seem to be trying. I love the amiable, jittery nature that he gives Gatsby early on. His scenes with Daisy are humorous, tender, and his devotion to her (or the idea of her) rings true. All this makes his intense downfall scenes near the end all the more potent. It's a magnificent performance. For me, one of the best of his career; which is saying a lot.
Daisy Buchanan is a difficult role to execute. You never quite know what she's all about. But the soulful eyes & sad smile of Carey Mulligan goes a long way, here. As written, Daisy is a fairly spoiled, self-absorbed character. But Mulligan toys with the role, giving Daisy an ethereal quality and 'something' of a soul before events make her re-tread. Tobey Maguire - who I normally find vacuous - impressed me as Nick, our narrator/3rd-wheel protagonist, & the catalyst for much of Gatsby's behavior. I liked Isla Fisher & Jason Clarke as Myrtle & George Wilson; though, the film cuts their character arcs short. Newcomer Elizabeth Debicki wowed me as Nick's potential love interest, Jordan Baker. And Joel Edgerton makes for a great slime bucket as Daisy's adulterous husband, Tom.
'The Great Gatsby' is just a beautifully photographed 3D (should you choose to see it that way) epic. Again, the costumes are out of this world. I'm reminded of Jordan Baker's slinky black dress, Daisy's chandelier party dress, her fur mink, Gatsby's cream-colored suits, etc.. I find it fascinating that Manhattan & Long Island are created from vast sets & visual effects - since the entire film was shot in Australia. Thematically, Baz taps into the moral decay of the characters; characters who represented a warped sense of the American Dream. And I also felt for Gatsby. Through thick & thin, I felt like I was right there with him on his foolhardy journey to fulfillment. This movie offers a stellar interpretation of one of our great American novels, while still having a distinct look, sound, & vibe of its own.
She and her contemptuous, philandering husband Tom (Joel Edgerton) own an enormous mansion, replete with polo horses & huge green fields to play on. What Nick doesn't realize is that the even larger mansion next to his cottage is owned by the legendary Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man with 'new' money. Though rarely seen or even recognized, he is known for his outrageous parties, which attracts the wealthy from all walks of life to his estate every weekend. But why all these extravagant parties? The answer: it's all for Daisy, whom he met as a soldier before WWI. But despite their love letters to one another, Daisy simply couldn't wait for Jay, who was born dirt poor, to make something of himself. Instead, she let Tom (and his $$) whisk her away. Love, betrayal & tragedy ensue.
For a movie of its ilk & length, 'The Great Gatsby' is absorbing; even intoxicating, at times. I'm reminded of a crucial moment in a hotel where Tom pushes too many of Gatsby's buttons - the scene is just terrifically orchestrated. I love Baz Luhrmann's passion for detail; and respect that he sticks very close to the novel. Working again with Oscar-winner Catherine Martin, I cannot say enough about her spectacular sets & gorgeous period costumes. Yes, everything is in Baz Luhrmann overdrive. To accentuate the freneticism of the Roaring '20s, Baz employs CGI effects makes and makes the tried-&-true decision to use contemporary music in the soundtrack; collaborating with such artists as Jay Z, his wife Beyonce, Florence + The Machine, Gotye, Fergie, Will.i.am, Alicia Keys, & Lana Del Rey.
And now I come to Leonardo DiCaprio. My goodness. THIS is the Leo of old. Movie star Leo. Magnetic, suave, slender, golden-haired, golden-skinned, effortlessly charismatic, & playful. I was reminded of the Titanic/Catch Me If You Can days. In other words, he doesn't seem to be trying. I love the amiable, jittery nature that he gives Gatsby early on. His scenes with Daisy are humorous, tender, and his devotion to her (or the idea of her) rings true. All this makes his intense downfall scenes near the end all the more potent. It's a magnificent performance. For me, one of the best of his career; which is saying a lot.
Daisy Buchanan is a difficult role to execute. You never quite know what she's all about. But the soulful eyes & sad smile of Carey Mulligan goes a long way, here. As written, Daisy is a fairly spoiled, self-absorbed character. But Mulligan toys with the role, giving Daisy an ethereal quality and 'something' of a soul before events make her re-tread. Tobey Maguire - who I normally find vacuous - impressed me as Nick, our narrator/3rd-wheel protagonist, & the catalyst for much of Gatsby's behavior. I liked Isla Fisher & Jason Clarke as Myrtle & George Wilson; though, the film cuts their character arcs short. Newcomer Elizabeth Debicki wowed me as Nick's potential love interest, Jordan Baker. And Joel Edgerton makes for a great slime bucket as Daisy's adulterous husband, Tom.
'The Great Gatsby' is just a beautifully photographed 3D (should you choose to see it that way) epic. Again, the costumes are out of this world. I'm reminded of Jordan Baker's slinky black dress, Daisy's chandelier party dress, her fur mink, Gatsby's cream-colored suits, etc.. I find it fascinating that Manhattan & Long Island are created from vast sets & visual effects - since the entire film was shot in Australia. Thematically, Baz taps into the moral decay of the characters; characters who represented a warped sense of the American Dream. And I also felt for Gatsby. Through thick & thin, I felt like I was right there with him on his foolhardy journey to fulfillment. This movie offers a stellar interpretation of one of our great American novels, while still having a distinct look, sound, & vibe of its own.