★★★★★ The Great Gatsby

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2013)

@PiersFoleyPhoto: Gatsby shines through all the diamonds, extravagance and high class that is portrayed with a longing hope #PFPreview
I went into to this not really knowing what to expect, I'd read the book back in secondary school and have seen a few of Luhrmann's previous films. I was intrigued how they could work together. Knowing what he'd done with Romeo and Juliet it could safely assume that it would be modernised somewhat and would be a visual treat. Instantly you are greeted with an absolutely visually stunning film. Luhrmann's artistic direction, the stunning sets, costumes and cinematography and the seamless editing keep a high energy through the first twenty minutes or so. The modern soundtrack beautifully complements the visuals and fits strikingly seamlessly to the era. It's all a bit like a music video, and you really want to be a part of it all and you begin to feel like you are. On meeting Gatsby mid party Luhrmann slows the pace right down and you then float through like the drapes in the scene we first meet Daisy. Still with the fireworks in the background he zooms you in to the lives of the three leads and continues at the pace of Twenties slow, smooth jazz.
There are two occasions however when I felt thrown out of the escapist world I was immersed in on hearing reworkings of Beyoncé's Crazy in Love and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black seep in. It just inappropriately brought to mind Jay-Z (the otherwise enlightened choice of producing partner and songwriter of the film) and his wife. The two of them are hidden round the corner behind camera. Stood watching Gatsby and Carraway awaiting Daisy, Jay-Z pulls an early birthday present on Beyoncé, the promise of getting her in the movies again. And then Carey Mulligan pulls up in a car and Leo gets wet and we're back into the film. Back to Black (sung again by Beyoncé) has a somewhat more delicate working into the soundtrack but again it momentarily threw me out of the film.
The themes and morals of the original story could to some seem to get lost in the indulgent aesthetics but the outstanding supporting cast do play them throughout with such commanding subtlety. The tension of class and race divides, the criminal and social corruption of the prohibition era, the mania of First World War veterans drinking away their memories and 'shell-shock' is all there if you care to look for it. Luhrmann just chooses to concentrate more on the humanity of one man, and his love, and us as the audience perceiving it. This decision works and it's just as powerful as the social commentary of the era.
I wasn't too keen on the somewhat clichéd story telling device of Carraway writing for his therapist, not, to my memory, present in the novel. It does however serve its purpose and get the ball rolling. Tobey Maguire is fantastic as Carraway the narrator, he is the everyman, he is the audience. He like us witnesses everything that happens and similarly in powerless to change anything. What happens to Gatsby is ultimately inevitable, and he and we are the only ones left feeling the worse for it, and Maguire really does do the filmic Greek chorus justice. Carey Mulligan is mesmerisingly beautiful as Daisy; flirtatiously floating in and out of every shot. Her subtlety of emotion is extremely captivating. At times you can see her every thought process, of inner turmoil, on which path to take, all in a fleeting glance. The supporting cast are all unquestionably outstanding too but the two standouts really are Leonardo DiCaprio and Joel Edgerton. Edgerton does really well to show glimpses of sensitivity and vulnerability in Buchanan, the otherwise hard faced man of self believed righteousness. And then there's Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio, once again, does not fail to bring his incredible talent to this role. Perhaps not some people's obvious choice for Gatsby after the Redford film, but for me he is so much better. Leo takes this character to a whole new level of mystery, secret and ultimate humanity. The way we as an audience witness the plot and story of Gatsby's past unfold, we witness the mastery of DiCaprio unwind and reveal the character's emotions and desires. A strong symbol throughout is Gatsby staring out towards the green light across the water from his palace; a symbol of his longing hope to be with Daisy. The shot of DiCaprio's hand reaching for the light, for me, perfectly sums up his mastery of this character. You can see that it is a hand that has worked hard to get to where it is, to impress his one true love, yet it is well taken care of by the wealth it has acquired in the process. You can see the hand desires more than anything the touch of his love, yet it is evident that he is afraid of the rejection of that love and the difficulties of gaining it. It shows infinite hope of reaching that light. That's just his hand in one shot. The rest of his performance from the secretive swagger, to the welcoming grin he gives to Carraway, the way he plays with Edgerton and the last words he utters to his love are done with sheer mastery. Leonardo DiCaprio is without a doubt in the running for the Oscar and many more awards for this role. As indeed should be all involved in this production.
This is one of those rarer films that you walk out of the cinema and you feel you've had the full all round film experience. Visually stunning, immersive plot and soundtrack, perfect cast and above all affecting. My favourite film by far this year. Go and watch this film while it's still in the cinema! Go and see it in 3D!