The 'Good' Gatsby

Rating: 7/10 (17 May 2013)

Well, after a much awaited and anticipated release of the adaptation of the classic F.Scott Fitzgerald novel, The Great Gatsby was finally released into cinemas after being delayed for a number of months. The Great Gatsby is-in novel form- considered one of the all time American classics, and Baz Luhrmann's movie had a lot of hype and build up about it's own interpretation of the novel, and how it would compare to previous versions such as the one in 1974 which featured the in-actor of the time, Robert Redford.
Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby is in many ways faithful to the novel, and different from the 1974 movie. Luhrmann is not one of my favourite directors, but he pulls of a visually stunning aesthetic look to Gatsby's parties and the setting of New York and even with the Valley of Ashes. The cast all played their roles particularly well, but the outstanding actor was the one in the titular role of Jay Gatsby, Leonardo DiCaprio, who is the best actor to have played Gatsby. Tobey Maguire has good on screen chemistry with DiCaprio and this helps to convey the friendship between Gatsby and Nick Carraway. Carey Mulligan plays an excellent Daisy and suits the part from the description of her in the book.
However, many enthusiasts of the Fitzgerald novel, such as myself, will feel as though Luhrmann overdoes some of the subtlety of the book. The novel is a classic as I have said before, but the movie fails to hit at some of the key themes such as the corruption of the American Dream. The symbolism of the book such as the Green Light and the eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg are manifested brilliantly on screen but they are supposed to be subtle, yet Luhrmann overuses camera techniques which make the audience feel nauseous, like they are watching a first person movie.
This adaptation of The Great Gatsby is the best one by far, but for those who love the novel they may feel disappointed as they walk out of the cinema. However, those who haven't read the book, will probably enjoy the movie, despite it's imperfections. So we beat on, boats against the current, still waiting for a 'Great Gatsby'.