That's not exactly fair and I never understood it. When I was in high school, we could read books with any sort of controversy in them and pretty graphic scenes as long as the church that unofficially ran us deemed it "literature." Yet when it came time to watch the movie version, even if the teachers promised to fast forward any indecent scenes, it was a big negatory. I always thought this was odd.
This is about the newest interpretation of a classic by F Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby. This time, being directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge). While I don't hate Baz's stuff, I usually dont think it's as good as everyone says it is. It's frantic and makes little sense. But as far as guilty pleasure for fun stuff goes? He can make something visually beautiful and that no matter how hard you try not to will elicit emotion.
I have to confess something readers. I've never read this one. We never had to. My American literature teacher wasn't a fan and stuck it at the end of the year. We worked in groups, read 1 chapter and presented it to the class..and I honestly can't remember what chapter we had or what part of the storyline it was. Thats how quickly we covered it. So as far as comparing to the book? I can't. The only basis of comparison I have is the Robert Redford version I saw last year. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. Shall we begin?
The plot is basically young Nick Carraway rents a summer home by the bay. Next door is a giant mansion owned by a man named Gatsby. Gatsby throws the wildest parties anyone has ever seen. But it turns out, these are all a failing attempt to have his lost love attend one of the parties and see him again. Did I mention his lost love is married to a very rich asshole? This all happens in the backdrop of the 1920s and prohibition.
The movie as would be expected was great visually. The party scenes were all amazing and filled with as much debauchery as you'd expect (even though you barely have time to see it). I don't often notice architecture and things, but you could tell thought went into the look of the sets for each mansion or hotel room. The soundtrack is odd because there's a lot of Jay-Z songs, but its all about the tone. The songs have an overconfident party vibe, and while the first time it sorta surprises you to hear Jay-Z flow over a bunch of white flappers you realize it works by the end. The non party scenes focus on the characters..which is impressive. Its seems Mr Luhrmann restrained himself and the movies better for it.
So now we have to talk about the best, and simultaneously weakest point of the movie. The Acting. Dicaprio plays an immensely likable and believable Gatsby. Ever since he grew up, he's killed it acting and he continues that trend here. Despite the mystery and the possiblity Gatsby is obsessed to a point of psychosis, you want him to succeed. You want him to get the girl. I don't think it's an easy task given the plot to make Gatsby super likable, but all you wanna do is hang out with him and hear him call you "Old Sport." Carey Mulligan plays a frustrated and confused Daisy, caught between two men she loves, which she does so well. Even the complete asshole husband Tom (Joel Edgerton) is played extremely well, and you find moments you sympathize with him (not an easy task). These actors all caught the subtlety and complexity of the characters and knocked it out of the park.
But here's the issue: the main character and narrator through whose eyes we see the entirety of the plot, Nick Carraway, is played by Tobey Maguire. Tobey Maguire's last good movie? Spider-man. His other good movie? Pleasantville. You know, when he was playing an awkward teenager. For some reason he couldn't pull off awkward adult. I dont know if this was script or Tobey's fault, but you get no sense of understanding of why Nick becomes so fascinated with Gatsby. In the 1974 version, Nick was played by Mccoy From Law and Order (no I don't know the actors name). But you immediately feel the bromance at first sight. You get a real sense of camraderie between Gatsby and Nick that didn't show until the last 15 minutes in this one. When your main character is this unbelievable and brings nothing to the table the movie suffers.
Is it enough to avoid the movie? No, especially if you're a fan of the book. This is worth seeing. If nothing else for the visuals in a visual medium. A lot of critics are roasting it for not being "best movie evar!" but really it boils down to one weak performance spoiling the overall feel. Ignore Tobey and see it for everyone else. Who doesnt love the 20's?
Had a roaring time Old Sport
-Oz
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