Review of The Great Gatsby (2013) by Jim H — 24 May 2014
From an insane asylum (wait, what?), Nick Carraway narrates the story of a socialite's attempts to woo his long-lost love.
Baz Luhrmann's lavish style, quick cuts, garish colors, and modern screaming, drum-heavy music attempt to capture the roar of the Roaring Twenties. It's a valiant attempt, and I like when it succeeds and don't get too angry when the style rudely overtakes the story. It's mostly faithful to the source material except for a few glaring dissimilarities that make me wonder if the filmmakers simply felt the need to stamp the story with their spin.
Leonardo DiCaprio is good as Gatsby, capturing the lavishness of his excess and the vulnerability of relationship with Daisy, and Tobey Maguire is fine as literature's most famous witness; although, Maguire isn't allowed to express the appropriate moral outrage at the end of the film. Likewise, the script doesn't give enough to Carey Mulligan to expose Daisy's depth.
Overall, it's a fair attempt, but Luhrmann's luridness is often misplaced.
This review of The Great Gatsby (2013) was written by Jim H on 24 May 2014.
The Great Gatsby has generally received positive reviews.
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