“The Great Gatsby” Film review “The Great Gatsby” is a romantic drama movie based on world-famous and iconic novel of the same name written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film narrates about the life of wealthy Jay Gatsby and his neighbour, Nick Carraway, and it shows us the ins and outs of America’s elite and the glamour of the “Roaring 20s”. The picture was filmed in Australia in 2011 – 2012. The movie was released on th 10 May 2013 and came out in 3D and 2D formats. The film was co-written, produced and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The wellknown director and producer claimed that he was concerned about the issue of irresponsible, careless and amoral lifestyle of wealthy people. That’s why Luhrmann decided to shoot a film adaptation of “The Great Gatsby”. Actually, this talented filmmaker did a commendable job translating a book to the screen. Well, this film can boast a star-studded cast: Leonardo DiCaprio as the mysterious Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher and Elizabeth Debicki. Although the movie received mixed reviews and divided critics into two opposing groups, it was a box office hit and had a commercial success. The film is set in the 1920s and it takes place in New York. At the beginning of the story Nick Carraway is receiving medical treatment at psychiatric clinic. He is restless and often talks with his psychiatrist about Jay Gatsby, so the doctor recommends Nick to write his thoughts down. Thus, the man becomes a narrator and starts his story. In 1922, Nick Carraway moved to New York, worked as a bond trader and rented a small house in West Egg next door to magnificent mansion of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious multi-millionaire who held amazing parties. Then Nick reconnected with his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan who invited Carraway to their house where he got acquainted with their friend Jordan Baker who informed Nick that Tom had a mistress. Afterwards, during one of the trips to New York, Mr. Buchanan showed the narrator his lover, Myrtle Wilson who lived with her husband in a dirty industrial ground between West Egg and New York. The company went to New York and had a small party which ended badly as Tom broke Myrtle’s nose because she annoyed him. Then Nick Carraway received an invitation and attended one of Gatsby’s parties where he met Ms. Baker and got acquainted with Mr. Gatsby. Shortly afterwards, Gatsby took Nick to Manhattan for lunch. During their trip, Gatsby told the narrator that he graduated from Oxford and was a war hero from a wealthy Midwestern family. They went to a speakeasy where Gatsby introduced Nick to his business partner Meyer Wolfsheim. Thanks to Jordan Nick found out that Gatsby and Daisy had had a relationship 5 years ago and that he still loved her. It turns out that Gatsby arranged such great parties, hoping Daisy would visit one of them. Then the man asked his neighbour to arrange a meeting with her. Carraway invited his cousin, so Jay and Daisy reunited. They had a love affair until one day Daisy made a mistake and showed that she wasn’t indifferent to Gatsby at a luncheon, so Mr. Buchanan started suspecting that she was unfaithful. Then suddenly, Daisy suggested going to New York and staying at the Plaza Hotel where Tom confronted Jay later. Mr. Gatsby revealed his feelings and told Mr. Buchanan everything, but Tom answered that he and his wife had their own story that Jay couldn’t understand. Moreover, Buchanan accused Gatsby of lying, as he made his fortune thanks to illegal business and bootlegging. Gatsby asked Daisy to say that she had never loved Tom, but she hesitated and couldn’t bring herself to say this. Eventually, Jay and Daisy leave the Plaza Hotel. On the way back Daisy was driving Gatsby’s car when she accidentally ran over Tom’s mistress. Jay decided to take blame for the accident. The next morning Nick came to Gatsby’s house to support his friend and Jays told the narrator the story of his life. Nick learnt that Gatsby’s real name was James Gatz, and he was a son of a farmer. The narrator found out that Jay’s life hadn’t been easy, and he had faced some difficulties. During this period George Wilson realized that his wife had been unfaithful and concluded that the driver of the yellow car who killed Myrtle was her secret lover. Through Tom the man learnt that the owner of the car was Gatsby. In the next scene, Gatsby was swimming in the pool when he heard the phone ringing and thought it was Daisy. Unfortunately, before he could answer it, he was fatally shot by Mr. Wilson, who then committed suicide. The narrator arranged Gatsby’s funeral and called everyone who had attended Jay’s parties but people refused to come. When Nick called Daisy the servant said that the Buchanans had left the house. The media portrayed Gatsby as Myrtle’s lover and killer, they showed this false and negative image of Gatsby’s life and death and that infuriated Nick, so he yelled at them and kicked the press reporters out of the house. Surprisingly, only the narrator, Gatsby’s father, servants and one of partygoers attend the funeral. Finally, Nick Carraway decided to leave New York because he was disappointed in the East and disgusted with cynical, irresponsible people who live there. At the end of the film we return to the present where Nick Carraway finishes his writings and titles his work “The Great Gatsby”. Actually, the film touches upon and explores many issues, such as love conflicts, for example, a love triangle Jay-Daisy-Tom or a toxic relationship between Tom and Myrtle. Another important problem is class inequality and relations between different classes, “Old money” and “New money”, for instance, confrontation between Gatsby and Buchanan when Daisy’s husband stated that Jays isn’t one of them, and he will never be because his background. Therefore, the movie shows us the disillusionment with the American dream. The main character, Jay Gatsby has a clear picture of his ideal life; his “American dream” and he does everything to make his dream come true. Unfortunately, this dream is impossible to put into reality and it only exists in Gatsby’s mind. This topic is connected with a philosophical question “Can we repeat the past?” because Daisy is an important aspect of Jay’s “American dream”, without her everything is pointless. Jays is determined to win her back and make things right. Gatsby believed Daisy and their love remained the same, but it was impossible because it’s has been several years since they split up and things have changed. When they reunite and spend time together, he is still stuck and can’t move on because he is focused on fixing the past. Anyway, he idealizes Daisy and doesn’t see or doesn’t want to see her true identity and her weaknesses. Jays has a clear vision of their relationship and behavior, that’s why, he’ dismayed when she offered him to escape and leave everything behind, as he has a plan and doesn’t want to change it. Moreover, fate and coincidence are essential parts of the plot development: one event can lead to irreversible consequences and a tragic outcome. For instance, Myrtle’s accidental death resulted in the murder of Jay Gatsby. The film shows morally bankrupt, self-absorbed, careless, skittish, fickle people who “smash up others’ lives, without a care or a look back”. They’re West Egg habitants, especially Tom and Daisy Buchanans. Another example is shallow people who attended Gatsby’s lavish parties and enjoyed his hospitality, but didn’t come to Jay’s funeral. During the entire film Gatsby mentions and chases the green light. It’s the major symbol which represented a great and unreachable dream for Gatsby. Well, in my opinion, it’s a great movie that is both entertaining and sad. It has the magnificent atmosphere of the Jazz Age and the “Roaring 20s”. Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation is fairly accurate and conforms to the novel and most of its themes remain intact. Moreover, the director has added some new details that add a new dimension to the story. The scenery and visuals are stunning, captivating and lavish, especially when you watch epic parties held by Gatsby. The gorgeous mansions with wonderful interior and decor are a treat for the eyes. Actually, Luhrmann stayed true to the symbolism, mood and importance of color that were in Fitzgerald’s novel. The director uses different shades of yellow and gold colours, for example, Daisy and Jordan wear white and beige gowns along with Gatsby who wears light or white suits. Furthermore, Luhrmann draws attention to the green light illuminating the dock at the Buchanan mansion and its meaning for Gatsby. The costumes are magnificent, brilliant and eye-catching. In addition, the outfits correspond to the Jazz Age. There’s no doubt that the film received welldeserved awards in such categories as Best Production Design and Best Costume Design at the 86th Academy Awards and at the BAFTA film awards. The acting is brilliant, as the cast has nailed their roles. Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance is stunning, he shows us a man of strength and fortitude. DiCaprio plays a lovesick man who is also a tough businessman, secretive, and coy. His emotional range is excellent, and he capture’s Fitzgerald’s character very well. The actor is charming, mysterious and compelling at the same time. In my opinion, his performance is the best part of this film, as I adore this character and feel empathy towards him. Carey Mulligan’s Daisy is a combination of fragility, false strength, and self-absorption, but she also manages to show some complexity in her role. Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway did a fantastic job. He also nailed his performance. He shows us the viewer who he sees everything and knows what’s happening, but he is ultimately helpless to change anything. Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan brings a lot of personality to his character. He’s less indifferent and more vulnerable than in the book, especially in the scene where he finds out about Jay and Daisy’s affair. However, it would be unfair to judge a picture solely on the merits contained within it, that’s why I should mention some flaws. The thing that slightly upset me was the hyperactive camera, especially at the beginning of the movie. In fact, it didn’t stay still on a shot and it had the effect of blurring and fragmenting that didn’t allow me to savor every detail. In addition, there was a dissonance between the scenery, costumes and modern music, especially hip-hop. The mixture of the music of the Jazz Age and modern music was Baz Luhrmann’s decision and his creative element which I, personally, don’t like as I assume it to be the drawback of the film. Nevertheless, the song “Young and beautiful” fits in well as Jay and Daisy’s theme. All in all, “The Great Gatsby” is very fascinating, breathtaking and at the same time thought-provoking and spine-tingling film. It succeeds in keeping you focused on the action, as you’re fully immersed in it and can’t take your eyes off the screen. Actually, I was charmed by great storyline, complex characters, amazing acting, sceneries and costumes. This movie is worth seeing as it’s a masterpiece of its kind and its visuals make it stand out from preceding screen adaptations of this novel. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
