The Great Gatsby Review

The Great Gatsby

3.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

It seems that Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the beloved The Great Gatsby is one of the most polarizing films of the year. Some die-hard fans of the book are proclaiming it a disservice to F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece. Those who are new to the world of Gatsby are either beguiled or repulsed by this film. As a fan of the book, I happily declare Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby as a wonderful film that, while faithful to the book, is extraordinarily original and completely stands on its own. 

For those who haven't read the novel, The Great Gatsby is told from the perspective of Nick (Tobey Maguire), a sympathetic Wall Street worker experiencing the highs and lows of the "Roaring Twenties." Nick lives on the wealthier side of Long Island, and he is entranced by his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gatsby is the man who throws lavish parties at his vast mansion every weekend, and his parties attract people from every part of New York. Nick then forms an interesting relationship with Gatsby and attempts to understand this charming, little-known man who has all of Long Island talking. Also in the mix is Nick's cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton). The charming and beautiful Daisy is a complete foil to the harsh and intense Tom, who is having an affair with a married woman named Myrtle (Isla Fisher). By observing and interacting with all of these fascinating people, Nick finds himself in the middle of a complex world constructed by chaos, beauty, madness, love, revenge, hardship, and power.

Baz Luhrmann's eccentric style is a turnoff for some, but I was absolutely in love with his approach to The Great Gatsby. At first, I was a little taken aback by the speed at which he approached the film. Gatsby moves like lightning, and the editing for simple sequences is almost exhausting. The shots last for the briefest of seconds, and Luhrmann always seems to move at a dizzying pace. However, after time, I began to fall in love with this fast pace and quick approach. His glitzy visuals and frenetic camerawork accentuate Fitzgerald's glamorous, exciting portrait of the "Roaring Twenties." Not only does Luhrmann's approach pay tribute to Fitzgerald's work, but it also makes the 142-minute runtime fly by. You will not be bored by this film.

In addition to Luhrmann's deft hand at pacing, Luhrmann also has a knack for breathtaking visuals. The way that he and cinematographer Simon Duggan shot the film is nothing short of remarkable. They light the actors in the most beautiful way, so that all of the actors simply glow on camera. They have a twinkle in their eyes and a sheen to their faces that brings forth so much warmth. Also, Gatsby's party sequences are simply magnificent to behold, all because of the dazzling visuals. Contributing to the outstanding look on screen is Catherine Martin's gorgeous production design and costumes. I'm sure that her name will be announced come Oscar season.

Speaking of Oscars, I hope that the Academy will consider Leonardo DiCaprio for "Best Actor." He is the perfect Gatsby. Not only is he charming and likable, but he also shows a vulnerability that is supposedly unseen in all other film adaptations of the novel. DiCaprio has some standout, goosebump-inducing scenes that prove why he is one of the finest actors of his generation. The rest of the cast is astonishing as well. Carey Mulligan is luminous and lovely in each scene. While some complain that her performance is too light and ethereal, I found it to be spot-on with its intricacy. Tobey Maguire is great in a role that could have been forgettable. Maguire brings forth just the right amount of naivete and boyishness. He acts in a way that I think most people of the time would act if they found themselves in similar situations. Supporting work from Edgerton, Fisher, and Elizabeth Debicki is all strong as well. This is an incredible ensemble cast.

Last but not least, we must discuss Jay-Z's controversial soundtrack to the film. He has assembled a wide range of artists (Beyonce, Fergie, Lana Del Rey, the xx, Florence + The Machine) from a wide variety of genres (hip hop, R&B, dubstep, alternative). This could have been a hot mess. However, I find it to be a satisfying, coherent whole that is unified by its 1920s influences. It's one of the most accomplished film soundtracks of the year, and it works as a standalone work separate from the film. I was never distracted by the dubstep and electropop songs in conjunction with the party scenes. In fact, I was lulled into its enchanting spell. Even Jay-Z's complex hip hop tracks mix wonderfully with the retro imagery. I'm not praising this soundtrack simply because I am a big fan of Jay-Z and the other artists on the soundtrack. I am praising it because it works masterfully. Expect this album to be a frontrunner in the soundtrack category at next year's Grammy Awards.

Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it film, and I fell on the side of love. I was "wowed" by the visuals and the direction. I was genuinely touched by the performances and the story. (Some are complaining that they don't "feel" anything when they see this film, but I respectfully disagree). I was pleased that Luhrmann seems to deeply admire and appreciate his source material. Overall, The Great Gatsby is a magical and enchanting experience that is surely one of the finest films that I have seen thus far in 2013. Three and a half stars out of four.