Gatsby, What Gatsby?

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER FREE BLOG. 

I studied The Great Gatsby for AS Level and was unimpressed upon the first reading. After the second reading, I fell absolutely in love with it. The hidden messages, the incredible writing, the beautiful symbols and the wonderful love story. So being taken from page to screen was going to be a huge task. 

Baz Lurhmann is well known as the 'Marmite Director' - you either love him or hate him. I personally am a huge fan of his work, but even I know that he has a tendency to go too far into the imaginative and bizarre world of his mind. So though I was thoroughly excited for the prospect of The Great Gatsby on screen developed by a marvellous directer, there was still an element of hesitancy. 

But I was not disappointed.

There has been much criticism for Lurhmann's work and this film in particular, but I shan't take any of that into account. This film lived up to my expectations and beyond. 

The casting was perfection: Tobey Maguire is pensive and cautious and inexplicably Nick - I thought the addition of his character in an institution was a little uncalled for, but the development of him writing a book was much better, in particular as some of my favourite quotes flashed up on the screen in front of me. That final quote is haunting and enchanting and seeing it appear on screen added much emphasis to Fitzgerald's work. 

Carey Mulligan is effervescent and iridescent - her voice is full of money and she exudes beauty in every movement she makes. But what truly captures the audience is the pain and emotion written in her eyes from the very moment she utters that she wishes her daughter to be a beautiful little fool. 

As for Leonardo DiCaprio, I cannot imagine anyone more perfect than he. He has the character of Gatsby written within him and the strive and the dream is so built up with his characterisation and the absolute focus on his Daisy with each intense stare leaves us wanting Leo even more than we did in Titanic. And it was just as hard watching him die this time as back then. 

For the part of the soundtrack, it is just as incredible as has been discussed. I rather liked the use of modern music intertwined with the flapper lifestyle, epitomising that the raucous party never really dies, it simply transcends generations. Then again, our chart topper Crazy In Love re-imagined in a swing style, fitting with the era, is simply fantastic. The spin on this classic undoubtedly is a creative genius, particularly apt for the scene in which is it placed. However, the winner for me is Lana Del Ray's Young and Beautiful. It is captivating and delicately beautiful that in a way highlights the very theme of The Great Gatsby - time and love and how they affect each and every person. It is incredibly powerful and I am very grateful to have heard it. 

As for Lurhmann's direction, in fact his wild and vivacious imagination fits the fantastical '20s world rather well. The outrageous parties are captured wonderfully in his vivid style - both Gatsby's party and Myrtle's. But when it came to the serious parts, Lurhmann still succeeds. In fact, in my opinion, this film is not as 'bizarre' as some of his others. At times, though I adore it, Moulin Rouge is a little 'too much' but this interpretation of The Great Gatbsy highlights both the extravagance and the nuances of Fitzgerald's story. 

This was an incredible film, beautifully shot and fantastically created. I applaud everyone involved and implore people to see it. If not purely for Leonardo DiCaprio who should finally get his Oscar for this role. 

Gatsby is, at last, truly great.