The Great Gatsby (2013): Review

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey McGuire, Carrie Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Synopsis: The film, based on the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follows the narration of Nick Carraway (McGuire), a war veteran and aspiring writer, as he moves to New York City in the 1920s. While trying to create his new life in the city, he falls into the lavish lifestyle and drama of his millionaire party-throwing neighbor, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio), introducing him to a completely different outlook on life.

Review:

          Luhrmann brings yet another fantastical and dazzling film that allows the viewer to fully immerse him or herself into the characters’ world. The film stays faithful to Fitzgerald’s novel while incorporating many modern elements and twists, despite the movies 1920s time setting.

 

          This film is visually stunning with its colorful settings and marvelous props. The film’s soundtrack consisted of mostly modern rap songs, like Jay-Z’s famous ‘No Church In The Wild,’ and other modern song covers with a more 1920s feel to help set the mood. Each actor was chosen well and portrayed their character excellently, which made the movie successful and pay tribute to Fitzgerald’s novel. McGuire gives his all in this performance as he goes along with Luhrmann’s modern take on the novel by making Carraway a patient in a sanitarium. Edgerton and Mulligan bring Tom and Daisy Buchanan to life in this film, portraying the couple perfectly as described in the novel.

 

          Although there was a lot of doubt in DiCaprio’s ability of playing the famous and intriguing Gatsby, he brought his all and delivered one of his best performances. He stole the show and really captured the audience’s attention, making everyone want to know more about Gatsby and his past, even though most had read the novel already. DiCaprio was the perfect actor to play Gatsby, not only for his beautifully aging face, but also for his true talent and devotion.

 

          The film was 143 minutes in its entirety. One would think that a film of that length would drag on, but the beautiful settings of the movie mixed with the soundtrack and DiCaprio’s charm helped keep the audience on track and interested throughout the entire film.

 

          The Great Gatsby is a must-see movie, not only because of its A-list cast, but also because of the story it tells. Overall, this film is dazzling, creative, and captivating, making the world fall in love with Fitzgerald’s classic novel all over again.

By Emily Belfiore