Review of The Great Gatsby (2013) by Andrew R — 22 Nov 2014

I understand those that shun this moving, highlighting the over indulgence of Luhrman; his propensity to plaster glitter and glamour onto the face of this film adaptation of the classic American novel, with roller, rather than a fine paint brush.

For these people I have two things to say: 1/ It's Luhrman, what did you expect? 2/ Does not the extremes of Luhrman's style reflect the extreme indulgence of 1920s America and the vast over romanticisation of Gatsby's dream? Indeed, for me, the best part about this film is its excesses.

My only problem is that the unwanted interruptions of 'rap stars' breaks the illusion if this 1920s American dream. One might also critique this movie for the peculiar absence of Jordan Baker, whose presence in the novel gave more depth to the narrator, knitted him more seamlessly into the story and its themes.

I want to end this review, however, with what I most love about the film. Luhrman celebrated not only the plot of this great novel, but Fitzgerald's beautiful words. He picks the best of these and uses his peculiar filmic style to raise these words onto a pedestal, so that they linger in the ears of audience members and live longer in their minds.

After watching this film I immediately re read the novella.