Movie Review: The Great Gatsby

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GREAT GATSBY

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a novel that automatically lent itself to style, revelling as the story does in the dazzle of 1920s America with its unabashed hedonism and moral decay. Luhrmann on cue has crafted his most resplendent film yet. Savoured in 3D, the Roaring Twenties bring alive what heights cinema as a visual spectacle can scale.

Fitzgerald drew from his own life to create the budding author Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), who lands as neighbor to the extravagant young millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) on arrival in New York. He soon becomes a part of Gatsby's world, and the lavish parties the man often throws. But as time passes, Nick starts spotting chinks in the happy picture. Emotions such as true love, loyalty and commitment seem to have little value in this world of excesses.

Quoting a dialogue  “I hope she'll (Carey Mulligan) be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” 

Remarkably, the plot presented by Baz Luhrmann make it really awestruck to be the part of lavish parties from Jay Gatsby - who dreamt his whole life to make a place living beauty for his love Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). A metaphor to gaze the green shore light across the the Egg island in New York - defines the hope of Luhrmann's Gatsby.

A Jay-Z soundtrack would seem unlikely for a world imagined by Fitzgerald, but the rapper has moved away from typical sounds and it works well. 

For all Indian and fans abroad for Amitabh Bachchan - a plot for 5 minutes at hidden bar beneath a saloon. Appeared as a renowned Gambler who fixed 1919 World Series seeking the opportunity to the time and a classic Big B style and accent that stoles the moment away from Maguire and Di Caprio. 

With the narrative graphics, 3D effects, poured emotional acting and adapted screenplay, this version of The Great Gatsby is way much better than 1947's by Robert Redford. 

There are moments of tenderness and humour. One is an episode about Jay Gatsby preparing to meet his lost love Daisy for the first time in five years in the apartment of Daisy’s cousin Nick. Gatsby has filled every corner of the room with gorgeous white blossoms. While waiting nervously with his friend Nick, he asks, “Is this too much?”. Nick replies "I think so, enough for the grass"!. As, Gatsby in excitement of meeting his love after 5 years almost pours his wealth out to make her believe that he has earned that much to bring her back in his life.

DiCaprio confidently brings out the mercurial Gatsby, and Mulligan looks ethereal even as she carries off an ornamental role with a certain amount of gravity. Maguire is insipid as the tormented Nick and Edgerton delivers an energetic performance. Bachchan’s cameo is small but impressive, and it quickly establishes the character’s persona as the evil Gatsby is sold to.

But performances hardly matter in this film. Luhrmann’s obsession with style reflects in every inch of every frame. The Great Gatsby is a statement piece. Its visual daring and the stubbornness of the director’s vision are reasons you should watch it.

Writing his last page to end his guilt of losing a good friend, Nick writes “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”  And, Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.”

Rating: Must Watch