The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (2013)
Direct by: Baz Luhrmann
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

F. Scott Fitzgerald is credited with writing a "Great American Novel" with The Great Gatsby. First published in 1925, Gatsby has been read by millions of people all over the world. I am one of those millions. I am not one of the millions by choice however. No, I was forced to read the novel in my Freshman Lit class in high school. I wasn't and still aren't a big reader. I am a more visual person so I enjoy seeing the images (hence why I am a film reviewer). I had to get a Spark Notes guide to make it through Gatsby, and I barely made it. Now that I am older I am sure I could read and enjoy The Great Gatsby, but why do that when I can see Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation? I wanted to see Gatsby after the first trailer I saw last year. Not because I have fond memories of the book (I think I made it clear that I didn't want to read it), but because I am a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio (and Carey Mulligan). As the release date grew closer, I became more excited. That excitement waned when the first reviews started coming out. Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal states that it is "...a spectacle in search of a soul" and The Chicago Reader essentially calls the film an adaption of Animal House in the 1920s. I cannot say I agree.

The Great Gatsby begins with Nick Carroway (Tobey Maguire) speaking with his therapist in a sanitarium. It is revealed that he suffers from depression and is "morbidly alcoholic". He speaks about how he hates New York City now and everyone in it, but there is one person he could never hate; Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). His therapist insists that he write down his experiences as a type of catharsis. Nick is hesitant at first but easily settles into his groove as both biographer to Gatsby and autobiographer to himself. Nick begins his story with his arrival in New York City after he takes a job with a bond company. He rents a small cottage in the village of West Egg which is where all the "New Money" lives. Nick often sees his mysterious neighbor standing at the end of his dock reach out towards the green light at the other end of the bay. Directly across the bay is East Egg; home to "Old Money" and Nick's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) along with her husband Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick's neighbor is revealed to by Jay Gatsby, a big shot millionaire from mysterious origins. Nick and Gatsby become fast friends and Nick begins to change the way he lives. Never been much for alcohol, Nick starts to drink daily and often drinks to excess. Eventually, one of Nick's friends, Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), tells him that Gatsby knew Daisy previously. They had an affair five years prior and everything he has done in those five years has been in an effort to be with her. Nick arranges for the them to have tea one afternoon and that's when the drama starts.

**OBLIGATORY SPOILER WARNING...BUT THIS STORY HAS BEEN OUT SINCE THE 1920s SO...**

The Great Gatsby was a lot of fun to watch. I am positive that it will AT LEAST be nominated for costume and art Oscars. I didn't see it in 3D but I can imagine that it would have been an experience. I'd like to dispel the criticisms from the reviews quoted above. While Gatsby absolutely is a film of spectacle and excess it is not devoid of soul. DiCaprio brings the same passion to this role that he does with everything he's ever done. DiCaprio is one of the very few stars in Hollywood that really hasn't done a terrible film. Seriously, check out his filmography. The dude is a talented beast and he only gets better with age. Gatsby's passion and love for Daisy is palpable. He aches every moment he isn't with her. Imagine yourself at your hungriest; your stomach in knots and head throbbing. I imagine that is every minute of Gatsby's life without Daisy. The scene when Gatsby meets Daisy for the first time in five years is absolutely fantastic. Nick and Gatsby arrange for the tea time to be at Nick's cottage as to not arouse suspicion in Daisy. Gatsby has gardeners come out and lay sod, install a fountain, and deliver flowers...

Lots and lots of flowers...

Some may say too many flowers


The over saturation of floral arrangements is another nod towards Gatsby's desire for everything to be perfect. When he met Daisy five years earlier, he had no money to his name; he was penniless. Daisy, who is now married to an exorbitantly wealthy man, is accustomed to lavish scenery and Gatsby knows this. The flowers are a way of peacocking in a sense. While Nick and Gatsby wait for Daisy's arrival, Gatsby grows increasingly anxious and threatens to leave if she doesn't show up promptly. When Daisy's vehicle sputters down the road in front of Nick's home, Gatsby freezes and fidgets with his coat. Nick goes out to meet her and walks her inside. When she sees the flowers she is immediately giddy at the sight however Gatsby is nowhere to be found. He had slipped out the back door in fear of disappointing Daisy. Nick hears a knock and opens the door to a dripping wet Gatsby (it had been raining profusely). The moment that Gatsby and Daisy lock eyes is intense. There is instant recognition and it is as if no time has passed. The emotion in this scene alone is enough to negate the naysayer above.

Now, to speak to the idea that The Great Gatsby is one big frat party...they are absolutely right, however is this a bad thing? The twenties weren't called "The Roaring Twenties" for nothing. It was a time of excess and flamboyance. Luhrmann captures the feeling of the era perfectly. The parties are impossibly glamorous. The people are polished and perfect for the time. I think that everything Luhrmann did in the film aided towards to overall feel of the story. You feel like you are transported to a time when the booze flowed freely and the people were just as fluid. It is truly remarkable.

No BS

The Great Gatsby is a lot of fun and is a fantastic story. If you've read the book, I feel you can find a kindred spirit with the film. You get the same feelings that Fitzgerald relayed through his text. If you're a stickler for historical accuracy and anachronisms then you may find yourself at a loss. Modern hip hop music is used in the soundtrack and score to keep things upbeat but, I feel, it doesn't detract from the story overall.

My Score: 7.5/10