The best story of obsessed love done by Baz Luhrmann

Rating: Null/10 (7 September 2014)

Director Baz Luhrmann stuns by telling the story of The Great Gatsby actually, quite well. Although Luhrmann's previous work includes the unfortunate Mulin Rouge; fear not - there's no over the top musical here - only a truly respectable representation of Fitzgerald's most famous novel. Now over 88 years old - its themes of greed, celebrity and power are still strongly relevant and affirms The Great Gatsby as one of America's great classic stories.
There are four main characters including: air-headed Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and husband Tom (Joel Edgerton), docile and innocent Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) and the ever-intriguing Jay Gatsby. Nick finds himself in a quaint little cottage surrounded by New York's lavish millionares when the story begins. He visits his silly cousin Daisy and brutish Tom while peering dreamily at his neighbor's huge and expensive parties. The party scenes are just as they should be - glitzy, wild and impressive. Gatsby is of course the neighbor, and by way of a unique invitation Nick finds himself wrapped up in Gatsby's world of excess and riches. The man is shrouded in mystery that only Nick is privy to exploring - including his history with Daisy. Gatsby is a determined and hopeful man whose polished manners and wealth were hard won. Viewers will admire Gatsby and pity him at the same time. With Leo blazing the way, all three male leads play their parts well throughout the film.
The casting of the female characters is where the film truly suffered. Despite the exquisite costumes and hair-do's - plain and sweet Carey Mulligan just cannot be the enchanting Daisy Buchanan and Isla Fisher is definitely no Myrtle Wilson (Tom's lover). Allowing this critique, Luhrmann did make some interesting choices with this film - including story-book visuals that work well with this piece. He also stayed true to the original novel and honored particular details readers of the story will appreciate. Watch (or read) The Great Gatsby if only to take a short glimpse at the shiny and tragic world of the 1920's.