Sensational and lively showcase based on Fitzgerald's novel

Rating: 8/10 (10 November 2015)

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel that many of you were probably required to read in your English class in high school, The Great Gatsby tells the story of Nick Carraway (played by Tobey Maguire), a World War I veteran who resides in the fictional town of West Egg in Long Island during the 1920s Prohibition era, New York, who is introduced the astonishing lifestyle of his neighbor Jay Gatsby (played by Leonardo Dicaprio), a millionaire who owns an expensive mansion on the coast of Long Island and hosts parties of hundreds of attendees. While Gatsby is the most heard-of person in town, the man is full of mysterious of where he is from, where he obtains on his wealth, and what kind of person he truly is. What Nick learns is that Gatsby trying to win the heart of his (Nick's) cousin Daisy (played by Carey Mulligan), his former sweetheart who he abandoned years ago when he was deployed to fight overseas during World War I. Unfortunately, she is now married to her unfaithful husband Tom (played by Joel Edgerton). From there on, everyone is driven in a life of complication and unexpected tragedy.
Leonardo Dicaprio reunites with Director Baz Luhrmann after their first collaboration in the modernized adaption to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in 1996. Luhrmann blesses his film with such an incredible script and a captivating direction. The story is so elegantly written and is full of energy and cleverness. Leonardo Dicaprio once again leaves an everlasting impression with an ingenious performance as the film's titular character, and Tobey Maguire does a quite phenomenal job as Nick Carraway, arguably his best role of his career. The chemistry between the two feels so real and engaging and really keeps their characters alive. Gatsby is pretty captivating character throughout the movie. There are some things we never learn about him like he became so wealthy, but neither does Nick Carraway and that is the main mystery of the story and what makes his character so intriguing. Secondly, the production design is quite an eye-catcher as well. The beautiful construction and design of the sets such as Gatbsy's mansion are very gorgeous and give the film such an authentic representation of the 1920s. The same thing can be said about Nick's house and the design of the front yard. The set designs are very moody to where the audience will feel like they are not looking at the film sets, but actual images of the 1920s environment.
The Great Gatsby is what I considered to be one of the sensational and most faithful film adaptions made, although there are a few changes from the novel. The performances are great, the storytelling is incredible, and the direction and screenplay is quite solid. Regardless of if you read the novel or not, the film is highly recommendable.