Dir: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan,
Toby Maguire, and
Joel Edgerton
The Great Gatsby, written
by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a work of literary art that is open to constant
adaptation because of the timeless quality of the themes represented. Baz
Luhrmann, very much established for the opulence needed for Gatsby’s grandeur,
bombards the film with style and design. While there are times when the beauty
of Fitzgerald’s words and intriguing characters are visualized with stunning
effect, there are also times when the extravagant rendering distracts from the
substance and performance found in the characters.
Nick Carraway (Toby Maguire) is a Midwesterner looking for a
piece of the American dream. He is drawn into the lavish and hedonistic
lifestyle of his Long Island neighbor, the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo
DiCaprio). Gatsby throws raucous weekend
parties with a house full of strangers. Gatsby invites Nick to join his gala,
though he has the ulterior motive of meeting Nick’s married cousin Daisy (Carey
Mulligan) whom he had a relationship with in the past.
Luhrmann is somewhat disjointed early on with the choices in
the films design intention. The cinematography journeys through Gatsby’s party
like a rollercoaster and the colors saturate in glaring form. While this isn’t
always a bad thing, in fact at times it’s quite interesting, it overwhelms the
introduction of the characters. As the film progresses, the tone settles into a
rhythm and the flash and spark is matched by the emergence of the superb
character attributes found within the pages of the book. In particular a late
scene that allows the characters to truly come to life; watch as Gatsby’s
desperate persona takes hold in the mannerisms of DiCaprio who has aged enough
to give Gatsby a life battered feature, it shows what he is capable of doing
within a carefully crafted character.
DiCaprio is good as the complicated and lost Gatsby, while
Mulligan offers an equally complex substance to the love bemused Daisy.
Together their chemistry is absorbing.
Toby Maguire, somewhat unusual in the role, captures the idolizing
personality of Nick. He is influenced as much by his American dream as he is by
the charm of Gatsby. Joel Edgerton gives Tom Buchanan the indulgent and
egotistical characteristics with confident repulsion. While some of the voice accents feel overdone
it blends well enough into the time period portrayed.
The soundtrack is interesting; sometimes really good and
other times misplaced. Upon entrance into New York City a popular Jay-Z song
leads a moving image of supposed luxury, the song utilized is distracting
because of the familiarity. While another song is mixed in the hands of a
soulful songstress, in a bustling jazz club, and it feels perfect for the scene.
As the design of the film calms and the characters begin to lead the film
forward, the composition becomes more traditional and reminiscent of the time
period.
For those that haven’t read The Great Gatsby, the film will more than likely be an enjoyable
experience. For those fond of the seminal work, the film will lack the superb
quality of the novel but fans will still be interested in comparing the
adaptation to the source. The film displays captivating performances along with
scenes that will be a visual treat, regrettably the overwhelming chaos of style
consumes a majority of the film and lessens the otherwise impactful moments
achieved by Fitzgerald’s story.
Monte’s Rating
3.25 out of 5.00
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