Not Bad, But Certainly Not Good

Rating: 5/10 (11 May 2013)

Let me start by saying that I love the novel. But I also think it is one of those unfilmable stories. It works on paper, but it just doesn't work on screen, and it never has, although it's been tried about 5 times. This latest adaption has only two things going for it: it is visually beautiful and the actors are well-matched with their roles. Its positive aspects stop there. The irony of this adaption is that it seems to miss the point of the novel. The Great Gatsby is about the superficial lives led by the rich, yet this is one of the most superficial films I've ever seen. It's all about appearance, with so many frills and pretentiously artsy touches that the heart and emotion of the story itself are less powerful than they could be. The uneven pacing of the story makes it difficult to watch. It whirls through most of the story, and only occasionally screeches to a halt for some important scenes, as well as some unnecessary ones. All in all, it was a good try, but not something I would watch again.