The Great Gatsby
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton.
Rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language.
The Great Gatsby is a story that has been translated to the big screen numerous times since the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald was first published. Obviously, it is a story that has stood the test of time as it is still being studied in high schools across the country. It is a tragic love story that involves complex and mysterious characters. The language is rich, and the character dynamics are intriguing. But what works in the book may not necessarily make a good movie; however, that won't stop director Baz Luhrmann from putting his own unique spin to the classic story.
Tobey Maguire plays Nick Carraway who once aspired to be a writer, but has decided to work on Wall Street instead. He rents a house on Long Island, NY for the summer that is a quaint little place right next to a luxurious mansion owned by a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby (Leonard DiCaprio). After experiencing Gatsby's extravagant parties, Nick finds himself helping Gatsby become reacquainted with a lost love of his, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), who just so happens to be Nick's cousin. Turns out that Gatsby bought his mansion across the bay from Daisy so that he could be near her and possibly entice her with his lush parties. Though Daisy's husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton), is anything but faithful to her he still finds himself jealous of Gatsby and decides to find out who this mysterious millionaire really is.
There are a lot of things that are great about this film: the cinematography, the use of contemporary, classical, and original score music, and the acting. DiCaprio is the particular standout as the enigmatic, charming, yet unstable Gatsby. Carey Mulligan also steps up to the plate and delivers an exceptional performance as Daisy Buchanan. Again, all of these attributes of the film are great, and yet somehow, I found the film to be just okay. Perhaps it is because this story is more character driven than plot driven. As I mentioned earlier, maybe what works so well on page does not mean it should make a good movie. It could be that underneath the music and visual style of Baz Luhrmann there is very little left to be entertained by. Or maybe it is because none of these characters are all that likable. It's difficult for me to pinpoint exactly what is missing that kept The Great Gatsby from being a truly great film.
I will give credit to Baz Luhrmann. I respect him as a filmmaker. From Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge! to Australia, and now Gatsby, he gives all of these films his own unique spin and signature. His films are not always beloved by all, but I believe he makes these films the way he does for himself and to hell with everyone else. I respect that. I'm glad we have filmmakers like Luhrmann, Tarantino, and the Coen brothers. Their films are uniquely their own and they offer audiences a different experience when going to the movies. Tarantino and the Coens have both made their share of fantastic films; I'm still waiting for Luhrmann to do the same. They are good, but I want them to be great!
RATING: C+
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