A Disgraceful Treatment of a Great American Novel

Rating: 1/10 (26 May 2015)

This piece of garbage provides accurate insights into the crudeness and obsession with immediate gratification that now characterize American popular culture, but conveys absolutely nothing of the heart and soul of the novel, or the era it depicts. Gatsby's first encounter with Daisy is pathetic enough when compared to Redford/Farrow (1974)and Ladd/Field (1949), but the garish party scene where Nick first meets Gatsby is meant to appeal to the basest mentalities, and nothing more. There wasn't enough good music, and enough style, during the 1920's that hip hop and rap need to be injected here? Give me a break. For the reviewers who praised DeCaprio's performance, I can only shake my head in bewilderment. A.O. Scott's review in The New York Times, which includes this gem, "the best way to enjoy the film is to put aside whatever literary agenda you are tempted to bring with you." is an insult to the intelligence of any high school senior taking AP English, let alone self respecting adults who have loved the book from its opening pages. Should we disregard the fact that we admire Fitzgerald's craftsmanship, and somehow enjoy watching this exercise in sensationalism posing as art ? This movie provides a sad window into our society today, and nothing more.