Fireworks burst from the screen, a green light glows bright, the shining decadence almost too much to take- The Great Gatsby dazzles on screen. Offered in both 2D and 3D, the film is a delight for those who have read the book from which it has been derived and those who have not.
The intensity of the film cannot only be credited to F. Scott Fitzgerald, but also to director Baz Luhrmann, who also directed Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. Known for his dramatic films, Luhrmann did not disappoint with this one. He really focused on including as much from the book as possible. Some scenes were the book brought to life. The dialogue and scenery was exactly the same. He even used typography and graphic effects to inject more quotes from the book.
However, the film and book were not entirely equal. The changes were well thought-out and well executed. In the movie, Nick Carraway was introduced as an alcoholic in a rehabilitation center. That was the major change, but there were a few minor changes too. Although I was at first reluctant for this change, the contrast between the rehabilitation home and Long Island, New York amplified how damaging the life of the rich and careless is.
Speaking of the rich and careless, casting choices were superb, befitting the golden gleam to the film. Carey Mulligan was cast as Daisy Buchanan, an old money heiress. Joel Edgerton was Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s overbearing, cheating husband. Leonardo DiCaprio was cast as Jay Gatsby, a new money mystery. Tobey MaGuire, known for his stint as Spider Man, was cast as Nick Carraway, the unreliable narrator of the novel. Mulligan creatively captured Daisy’s character as one could see the indecision in her eyes; two warring fronts of naive love and fear of change. Should she choose Gatsby, the love of her life, or should she stick with her husband of five years, with whom she has had a daughter? Edgerton was incredibly intense as the cheating, out-of-control man, who felt his perfect life crumbling away to nothing and took hefty measures to ensure that it did not. DiCaprio was the perfect Gatsby. One could feel the mania of holding desperately to an idealized past and hoping for a brighter future, but having it ripped away in a flash. MaGuire played Carraway like he was born for it. This poor man was forever the third wheel, even in his own short relationship with Jordan Baker. He was always watching the events happen, and was never involved in them until he moved in beside Gatsby’s mysterious mansion.
The soundtrack deserves an Oscar. It was wonderfully incorporated into the film, perfectly supporting the scenes and even foreshadowing some parts. Produced by Jay-Z, it features his talents as well as those of Kanye, Fergie, Lana del Ray, Beyonce, and others. Many of the songs mix hip-hop and jazz together, combining the past and the present to create something new and rich in potential.
The Great Gatsby is altogether unique in its commentary on the lives of those who lived in the Roaring Twenties. The ups and downs are emotion-evoking and attention-capturing. It’s impossible to feel nothing for these characters who are so lost in their pursuits that they don’t notice everything falling apart. I give it two thumbs up, five stars, and a round of applause.
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