An adaptation of a book that wasn't bad in the movies.

Rating: 7/10 (17 May 2016)

This film adapts the greatest novel of Scott Fitzgerald, which explores the dark past and love affairs of a wealthy American millionaire in the twenties. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, which ensures the screenplay with Craig Pearce, has Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role.
The film has a good script, faithful to the novel. Unfortunately, the dramatization soften the symbolism of certain elements. The optician signal, for example, is no more than a piece of scenario. Leo DiCaprio was at the height of his role and, although isn't a particularly inspired interpretation, sought to incorporate his character's personality. Tobey Maguire didn't convinced me, his character looks like a jerk, who drooled over the things of his rich neighbor. The sets and costumes are excellent and show eloquently the ostentation of the nouveau-riche and the madness of the twenties. The soundtrack, which ranges from the strong rhythms of Charleston and the deep melancholy of blues, captures the dichotomy of feelings, experiences and personalities of the characters.
This film is interesting in several aspects and, in my opinion, captures the essential of Fitzgerald's book. Of course, some things implicit in the novel were not portrayed in the film, but that's not makes this film a bad adaptation. Nothing replaces the book and, when we go to the movies, we have to understand that first. This is a very reasonable film. It could be better, but isn't bad at all.