The Great Gatsby (2013) Movie Review & Discussion

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I have been eagerly anticipating Luhrmann's production of one of my most loved novels ever since it was announced for a December 2012 release. Six months later, I was glad to finally be able to put those hokey 3D glasses on to view it as intended. 

Gatsby's Mansion Bachelor Pad- aka we'd kill for it.

As a fan of the novel, I guess there is too much to be said about this modern day adaption of a classic. My admiration of F. Scott Fitzgerald's jem nails its roots in how the story encapsulates the human condition and reveals our deepest needs to us in ways that we feel connected to, despite the tale being entrenched in a splendour and lavishness we will never understand or come to know. Does the movie reproduce this feeling for us? The bottom line would be yes.

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We are brought into the extravagant world of the 20s, the pace of everything almost made me bounce off my seat. It's bright, too bright, too swift and too smooth all the same. The saturated world of the film jumped off the screen, the sets and costumes were outstanding and recreated the splendour of the 20s quite perfectly.  One could criticise the exaggerated qualities of it all, but I find that they really got away with it (for once) due to the nature of the setting. Although everything was very over-the-top, it really highlights the facade of their lives and it lets the audience bare witness to their extravagance.

 Its everything that the characters lived and felt while also catering to our generation (I'm looking at you, Mr. Jay Z. I know you snuck some Alicia Keys in there, don't be kidding me). I initially was not a fan of the idea of pounding rap beats into the dapper men of the Jazz Age, but I felt that the integration of said music was appropriate and not overtly jarring to disturb the movie. It was actually quite suitable. Only because of the edits made to popular songs that featured, the most prominent being Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful", a beautifully wistful melody that echoes in your head reminding you of a memory you never had. You wouldn't expect anything less from Baz Luhrmann, known for his classic/modern mashups such as Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet.

Speaking of Luhrmann's distinctive style, the film features Leonardo DiCaprio as the eponymous Jay Gatsby. This duo have worked together previously on Romeo & Juliet and I feel like they're a good combo. Leo is undeniably great in his performance and delivers despite his minimal lines.

obligatory Leo brooding

 I personally thought he would be a bit too old for the role, but makeup and the noticeably fake tan really did wonders. We all know he likes his women statuesque and blonde, but nevertheless, he depicted Gatsby's connection with Daisy (Carey Mulligan) perfectly. I think their moments were the highlight of the film, both very pretty actors in pretty costumes and pretty sets... really, I could watch just those two frolicking off into the sunset for hours.

Erm, back to the point. DiCaprio's really stole the show (as he does in most of his roles). Mulligan did well too, exceeding my expectations. I was a fan of her previous performances in Shame and An Education, but she was not my ideal pick for Daisy. I don't think her full range was showcased as well as it could've been amongst actors with such a commanding presence. The screen was burning every time their eyes met though, and that was a lot.

Despite my love for the ill-fated couple, it was overshadowed by my distaste in Tobey Macguire as the narrator. I personally dislike him and I don't agree with their casting of Nick Carraway, but surprisingly, he wasn't as terrible as I thought he would be. Goofy, awkward faces aside, he wasn't horrible. Nothing much to say about it other than he has the same surprised/bewildered expression in almost every one of his scenes. Similar can be said for Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan, but in that case, it's understandable considering the character is indeed a shallow asshole. We're meant to hate him- Edgerton delivers.

Being a fan of the novel, I'm not sure whether I can distinguish accurately how much my enjoyment of the film was based on my enthusiasm for the text, and how much it was because it was a good film. I do feel like they skimmed over the events, some too superficially. There was a huge emphasis on atmosphere, be it fast-paced action scenes, colourful, loud parties, or elaborate picturesque montages of Gatsby and Daisy that tug on my heartstrings. Is that difficult for a non-reader to follow? Maybe. It certainly would feel quite uneventful and random to a general audience. Despite the onslaught of crazy wild parties, nothing is really established terms of actual plot-events until the final parts of the film. All we are witness to are beautiful, fleeting moments that follow one after another. I'm not sure if that was the director's intention, but I guess it could be quite polarising. I personally didn't mind it.

 Overall, it was a very beautiful film. Great production value due to a huge budget delivering breathtaking shots and great cinematography. I think that this adaption really does emulate the mood of the twenties in a way that can be enjoyed by a general audience. Gatsby's hope is summarised and condensed adequately in a two hour time frame as are various elements of the book that we've come to know and love. As with almost every book-adaption, though, you're probably best off reading the text if you want to be left with something meaningful.

4/5 stars

Do I recommend you go see this film in theatres? Yes
Do I recommend you see this in 3D? No
Would I go see this again? Definitely on DVD