If you really want to grasp the notion of Gatsby, 2013's adaptation is not the one to watch – somehow by and between all the glamor they've missed what it was all about

Rating: 6/10 (24 May 2013)

My first watch of The Great Gatsby of 2013 did really raised some doubts but the general impression was not bad. Unfortunately it lasted only until I recollected the book as well as Clayton's adaptation as of 1974 (initially read and watched more than 15 years ago). The intro and the storytelling approach in general were simply devastation - whoever thought of such "improvement" to the story has desperately and hopelessly mistaken. About the directing – usually I tend to fall for some extravagant and bold directing but in this case such "fast and furious" and "we are so over the boring old retro" approach is definitely ruining the story – obviously it has its followers but I find it quite inappropriate. Also, the 3D format, whatever its purpose was, didn't upgrade the movie to a masterpiece.
During the whole time while watching the new version I was wondering what was so wrong with the contemporary Daisy and finally it hit me- the point about Daisy was not like being blond and mediocre but in the emanation of the whole notion of "rich girls do not marry poor guys" on which Mia Farrow actually got an amazing grip. Our new Daisy was innocent and almost naive like a sweet little girl and one is never sure until the end what her choice would actually be. She's gaining spectator's compassion, making everyone dubious whether she is the good girl or the bad girl instead of leaving the firm impression that she's just not the right girl – said in other words, Farrow's Daisy is vulgar to the bones and never misleading whilst Mulligan's is almost a victim. And now to J Gatsby- is there anyone even slightly convinced that DiCaprio could successfully challenge Robert Redford with this part?! Don't think so. Really, the older he gets, the better he plays but what he generally lacks is this aura of nobleness and the distinguished appearance which one Gatsby should possess; instead, while playing Gatsby our Leo looks like he has not developed much since we had him as the adventurous tricky boy from Titanic. Finally about Nick –who on earth thought to represent this reflective wise spectator as a boyish "I'm such a freshman and so surprised with everything" folk?! Truth be told, there were actually some good points - the costumes and the decors demand for applause – the designers have performed an awesome job and deserve all due respect. Also, the new Jordan truly excels the old one. But honestly, between the whole glamor, luxury and pompousness turning into grotesque, somehow they've lost what the story was all about.