Cinematography at it's finest

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2013)

The Great Gatsby goes "all in". An example of great modern cinematography, re-telling a timeless story that has been told many times before yet now finally in an age where it's magnitude and glory can truly peak.
Visuals are absolutely mesmerizing to the finest detail,timed perfectly,delivered by some exquisite camera work and goose bumps giving shots,completed with suitable costumes and decor,bringing the "Charlestone" era to life with such good taste, accenting it's luxury without over doing it. What's also praise worthy is how they managed to make modern music work for that period of time. Lana del Rey, Gotye, Fergie, Will.I.Am and Jay-Z sure did light up the party!! - speaking of – party scenes choreographed an edited to it's finest – so well it leaves you wishing you were there cause them people knew how to have a good time,regardless their age.
As for the story – those who have red the novel say the film is quite authentic and follows the book nicely, even the dialogs. Film kicks off in a narrative form, it's first 20min or so being an introduction into a greatness that follows but you don't see it coming. Don't judge the whole film based on the beginning because it does come over a bit slow and I did have to remind myself that it is a DiCaprio film so it must be more to it than this. But it's purpose is to introduce the characters and set in the mystery around the great name Gatsby and relationships running under the water surface.
Personally I liked when narration was followed by letters on screen (although some found that detail tacky) – to me it fits in in the new modern look of the whole story and yet gives it kind of a fairy tale feel.
Baz Luhrmann like a pro builds it up from nothing, slowly allowing the viewer to get tangled in the glamorous net and let's you enjoy all the pageantry and pomp, filling your heart with music and laughter ( yes it was also funny) , making the key moments as spectacular as glorious fireworks itself, just so it would hurt all the more when the tragedy kicks in.
As for the cast – everybody delivers with such authenticity of emotions and character depth, it's absolutely mind blowing to watch their work unwind before your eyes.
Even the "small" characters like the organ player, butler, the mistress, the mechanic – surprise with the amount of presence they have in their scenes. Jason Clarke, small yet so important owns his scenes – like a first class actor would.
Carey Mulligan -this rising star is going places for sure!!! Well done young lady – well done!!! Gracious and innocent in her portray of Daisy she wins your heart from the moment she appears on screen only to brake it and leave it bleeding on a stone cold floor .
Tobey Maguire – got an opportunity that every actor that hides more in him than is able to show – dreams of!! Although he will never be the great gentleman (because of his boyish childlike appearance – even though he is DiCaprio's coeval) – as his sidekick he simply nails it. Calmness and warmth of his voice make him an excellent narrator. Naivety of his persona and goodness of heart make him the perfect toy for all 3 parties, as he tries to please and help – and yet he himself is much irrelevant to everybody. From the beginning till the end – he is a kind soul, his heart in the right place, tragically affected by the events that took place – and none of that would be the same has it not been for Tobey's charm – set in his eyes and warm smile. He gave this role all he head – and can stand proud and tall next to his friend  the one and only
Leonardo DiCaprio!!!!! As much as the directing and editing had to do with his grand entrance in this film I can't think of anyone who would claim the moment they introduce Gatsby to the audience in a better way. He owns the camera, he owns the special effects – he owns YOU from the get go. This man as no other I have ever seen has the power to control me and my emotions by simply switching a look in his eyes. His tears water up my eyes, his joy puts a smile on my face. He doesn't play Gatsby – he IS Gatsby – and I don't think after him there will ever be anyone worthy of playing Gatsby again. Greatness of this actor goes beyond my words. He has that talent to bring a character to life and show you that persona in all it's layers with merely a look and a smile or a gesture. What he did with Gatsby is putting the rest of Hollywood to shame. A great gentleman, a business man, a romantic fool, scared boy dying to impress the love of his life, a crook, a raging animal, a man sick with obsession  a humble man with a dream determination and imagination like no other and most of all – strong enough will to never lose hope... He is one and only  and alone  with only one friend in this world that really cared for him - as the rest of the world was to consumed and corrupted with fear and urge to take the easy way out – in stead of fight or at least admire truly those who did.
The colors, the music, the shots and Leonardo DiCaprio made this film for what it is – painting of a sunset  Edgar Allan Poe's poem  and THE GREAT GATSBY made my night, my week – my month – reminding me why I love movies as much as I do.