Director Baz Luhrmann brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third novel, The Great Gatsby, to life to tell the tragic story of Jay Gatsby on the big screen.
The movie stays accurate to the book as it follows an average Joe in the 1920s, Nick Carraway (Toby Miguire), and his adventures with Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), his secretive neighbor who throws extravagant parties at his colossal mansion, as he works on redeeming the heart of Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Gatsby is searching for an unattainable dream—a life he wishes he could have with Daisy but never will. Nick Carraway soon finds himself being the secret holder of Gatsby’s dream. Across from West Egg, Daisy and her rich husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton), live in their old money home in East Egg. Often caught in the midst of drama and covert affairs of the new money and old money of the New York socialites is middleclass Nick.
Luhrmann, also known for Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge, recreated the 1920s New York scene in an original dreamlike cinematography. The mirage Luhrmann creates in the film makes the story of the famous Gatsby feel almost like a fairytale. His unique style appealed to younger and older audiences especially with the highly anticipated soundtrack.
The soundtrack features popular artists such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Jack White, The XX and Florence and the Machine. The music included modern hip-hop, rap, contemporary, swing, and alternative genres all remixed to have a connection to the jazz era where the story takes place.
Certain aspects from the book were not followed in the film. The remixed 1920s music was something that seemed awkward in certain scenes. Luhrmann portrayed the parties almost as big and lavish as Fitzgerald described in the novel. One thing reader’s of Fitzgerald wanted in the film was the relationship between Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki) and Nick Carraway. While the movie focused all of its attention on Gatsby, Carraway’s life was detailed in the book. Despite the untold fine points that Luhrmann stayed away from, he made a point of making viewers feel as if they were invited themselves to one of Gatsby’s acclaimed parties.
Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of Gatsby’s bright and fancy life keeps the audience wishing they could live in the “Roaring 20s.” Luhrmann keeps the old time story of Jay Gatsby alive in his fanciful remake of the classic novel The Great Gatsby.
