disappointing

Rating: 3/10 (18 October 2014)

The newest adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's vastly well known novel, is directed by Baz Luhrmann, staring Leonardo DI Caprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as daisy and Tobey Maguire as nick caraway.
Most people will know the plot but for those that don't.....Nick caraway moves to new york trying to become a stockbroker in the mid 1920's but instead of working finds himself caught up alcohol fueled parties that were rife in the city. He moves into his modest apartment next to a huge mansion, who he is told belongs to the mysterious Gatsby. Gatsby throws huge parties often for the general public to enjoy, Nick attends one of these parties and ends up befriending Gatsby. As their friendship grows, Gatsby becomes more trusting in Nick and asks if he can invite his cousin daisy Buchanan round for tea, so he can "bump"into her. It turns out that the married Daisy and the the rather unknown Gatsby fell in love when they were young and have held a candle for each other ever since. The question is does it do justice to the book?
The answer unfortunately is a resounding no! i have seen this film 4 or 5 times and each time my dislike of it has grown. It's hard to know where to start with this film, there are so many negative views i have on it. The film is made with huge house, big parties and fancy clothing, in true baz Luhrmann style that is all the substance you get. Carey mulligan is mind numbingly boring as daisy and not interesting at all. However the performance i have the biggest problem with is Tobey Maguire who narrates the story and it is seen through his eyes, i spent the entire film wanting to knock him out as i felt he was nothing more than a "scrape" and a bit annoying. There is no sense of the time period at all, with a bizarre modern day soundtrack booms out, which are good songs but not for The Great Gatsby, this makes the film feel like it is set in a club in the 21st century. Luhrmann goes for deeply emotional scenes and completely fails in my opinion. The one very dimly light shining light is Di Caprio in his Disney themed mansion, who gives a performance far better than anyone else
This fantastic piece of American literature has been attempted as a film many times and success has not really been found as of yet. This is an extremely hard book to make into a good film you can give Luhrmann that but not much else. This isn't the worst film i have seen but because of how well known it is and expected it was, this bad piece of filmaking will never be forgotten!