Baz Luhrmann's take on a classic American novel

Rating: 9/10 (23 April 2015)

Set in the early '20s, the story is related to us by narrator Nick Carraway. He tells us of his time in New York where everybody he met was somewhat rotten, with one exception; Jay Gatsby. Carroway, an aspiring writer, is working in New York's financial industry and living in Long Island. His neighbour is the mysterious Gatsby; a man who throws lavish parties where none of the many guests are actually invited and few have actually met him; they do however have lots of stories about him; he is related to the Kaiser, he is a spy, he has even killed a man it is all speculation of course but it part of the myth that is Gatsby. Carraway is unusual; he gets an invitation there is a reason for this Gatsby was involved with his cousin Daisy five years previously and everything he has done since returning from the war has been to be reunited with her the problem is she is married to the wealthy Tom Buchanan. Now he wants Carraway to reunite them something that can only result in tragedy.
Having neither read the book nor seen previous film versions I had few preconceptions about the story and some of those I did have were proved wrong! The way the story is told quickly had me gripped; the way we are drip-fed rumours about Gatsby made me wonder just what he would be like long before he appeared on screen. When he does appear it gradually becomes apparent that the man and the myth are quite different. The film delightfully captures the flamboyant feel of the era despite using modern music; it also captures the decadence where the wealthy flout the prohibition laws and party hard not too surprising given that is it directed by Baz Luhrmann. Leonardo DiCaprio does a fine job as the eponymous Gatsby; nicely capturing the flamboyant side of him as well as the shyness when he meets his beloved Daisy once more. Carey Mulligan is great as Daisy; the character who will ultimately prove to be Gatsby's undoing. Tobey Maguire is also good putting in an understated performance as Carraway; a man out of his element who narrates the story to us. Joel Edgerton puts in a powerful performance as the thoroughly unpleasant Tom Buchanan. Overall this film is well worth watching.