← Back to Reviews
in
Director: Baz Luhrmann
I was very excited to come into this story with virgin eyes. I knew absolutely nothing of this story except for the trailers that have been playing over the last couple of months. It is very rare for me to come into a story this old knowing nothing of it, thus having very little expectation. What little expectation I did have came from Luhrmann's last project with DiCaprio, Romeo And Juliet. Considering there was not an aspect of that movie that I enjoyed, I was truly hoping that the story would carry the day. It did and in the process my appreciation for what Luhrmann was doing visually grew. I do not enjoy 3D, so I rarely see a movie that way unless forced to do so. Usually at least once a year there is a film that makes me regret that decision, in 2013 Gatsby is that film. When a director truly cares about the benefits that 3D visuals can lend, it works, this is rare but can usually be seen even when viewing the film in 2D. While watching Gatsby there were at least half a dozen occasions when I caught myself thinking a scene would be amazing in 3D. This film is visually stunning even if I did not feel that way the first 15 minutes. Luhrmann is a very stylized director and a lot of what he does can be distracting. Once I settled into the style however the visuals were quite enjoyable and just one of the aspects that makes me want to view this film again.
The main thing I enjoyed about Gatsby were the themes that run throughout the story. In fact I became so consumed by the themes that the love story at the center of the film became inconsequential to my viewing. Excess, self indulgence, and narcissism were clearly on Fitzgerald's mind when writing his novel and they effect every character and their actions throughout the entire story. This gives Luhrmann free reign to assault our senses, and he does so with reckless abandon. These themes are certainly as relevant today as they were in the 20's.
Gatsby is a shadowy but engrossing figure all at once. In fact we don't see him until what seems like at least thirty minutes have gone by, but we feel his presence from the opening scene. When we do meet him we are as charmed as the characters in the film. However, like most in the film, we are not sure we should be succumbing to his charms. There is something that makes us feel that he is not all he seems to be, this plays into the shadowy aspect of his character. Throughout the film many of the characters ask the question who is Gatsby? He slowly reveals the truth about himself but we are never sure what is the truth and what is a lie. There are other things that are revealed throughout the film that give us some revelation of his character. Ultimately I think it is left up to the viewer to decide who the real Gatsby is and what his relevance to Fitzgerald's world is.
The performances and dialogue in Gatsby are all above average. DiCaprio brings his usual charisma to the role. If you dislike him elsewhere you will feel the same here, if you love him there is nothing going on in this film that will taint that. Mulligan and Edgerton are both very good in their roles as well. Maguire is as he always is, which to me leaves something to be desired. I find him dry, the only emotion he displays is intensity, and that usually feels misplaced. I always find Jason Clarke brilliant, but he is given very little here. I found Gatsby enthralling, but perhaps those with other points of reference will feel differently. I am looking forward to a second viewing as I feel there is plenty more to discover.
Director: Baz Luhrmann
I was very excited to come into this story with virgin eyes. I knew absolutely nothing of this story except for the trailers that have been playing over the last couple of months. It is very rare for me to come into a story this old knowing nothing of it, thus having very little expectation. What little expectation I did have came from Luhrmann's last project with DiCaprio, Romeo And Juliet. Considering there was not an aspect of that movie that I enjoyed, I was truly hoping that the story would carry the day. It did and in the process my appreciation for what Luhrmann was doing visually grew. I do not enjoy 3D, so I rarely see a movie that way unless forced to do so. Usually at least once a year there is a film that makes me regret that decision, in 2013 Gatsby is that film. When a director truly cares about the benefits that 3D visuals can lend, it works, this is rare but can usually be seen even when viewing the film in 2D. While watching Gatsby there were at least half a dozen occasions when I caught myself thinking a scene would be amazing in 3D. This film is visually stunning even if I did not feel that way the first 15 minutes. Luhrmann is a very stylized director and a lot of what he does can be distracting. Once I settled into the style however the visuals were quite enjoyable and just one of the aspects that makes me want to view this film again.
The main thing I enjoyed about Gatsby were the themes that run throughout the story. In fact I became so consumed by the themes that the love story at the center of the film became inconsequential to my viewing. Excess, self indulgence, and narcissism were clearly on Fitzgerald's mind when writing his novel and they effect every character and their actions throughout the entire story. This gives Luhrmann free reign to assault our senses, and he does so with reckless abandon. These themes are certainly as relevant today as they were in the 20's.
Gatsby is a shadowy but engrossing figure all at once. In fact we don't see him until what seems like at least thirty minutes have gone by, but we feel his presence from the opening scene. When we do meet him we are as charmed as the characters in the film. However, like most in the film, we are not sure we should be succumbing to his charms. There is something that makes us feel that he is not all he seems to be, this plays into the shadowy aspect of his character. Throughout the film many of the characters ask the question who is Gatsby? He slowly reveals the truth about himself but we are never sure what is the truth and what is a lie. There are other things that are revealed throughout the film that give us some revelation of his character. Ultimately I think it is left up to the viewer to decide who the real Gatsby is and what his relevance to Fitzgerald's world is.
The performances and dialogue in Gatsby are all above average. DiCaprio brings his usual charisma to the role. If you dislike him elsewhere you will feel the same here, if you love him there is nothing going on in this film that will taint that. Mulligan and Edgerton are both very good in their roles as well. Maguire is as he always is, which to me leaves something to be desired. I find him dry, the only emotion he displays is intensity, and that usually feels misplaced. I always find Jason Clarke brilliant, but he is given very little here. I found Gatsby enthralling, but perhaps those with other points of reference will feel differently. I am looking forward to a second viewing as I feel there is plenty more to discover.