Phenomenal Novel, Spectacular Film

Rating: 7/10 (26 May 2013)

It's hard to judge a film when it is based off of a novel. It is even harder when that novel is the spectacular, stupendous, highly acclaimed "The Great Gatsby". Granted this is not the first time the novel has been adapted, but I wasn't born when Robert Redford played the infamous Jay and so it has no bearing on my opinion. Consequently I had to force the notion of the text as transcribed in the book from my mind as I sat in the theater and though I didn't fully succeed in doing so I did so just enough to judge the film solely on its own merit. I'm happy to say that this film is aesthetically appealing and perfectly paced with amazing actors.
For those who have seen Baz Luhrmann's previous works (i.e. "Moulin Rouge") and have enjoyed his unique style, you will not be disappointed. His quirky and eccentric camera angles swoop from the individual out to the surrounding world. From the beginning of the film we see Nick walking through the streets of New York and in an instant we are staring at the whole of New York with its bright lights and tall buildings. Although sometimes distracting, it is very Luhrmann-ian and thus has to be appreciated. Another Luhrmann-ian aspect is his overlapping of animation-esque sequences. Nick is seen hovering over his typewriter, or looking into Gatsby's eyes, and across the bottom of the screen you'll see the transcript of the scene being described verbally from Nick (and taken verbatim from the novel). It plays off of the idea that what is being narrated to the audience is actually being written by the Character Nick (in the movie) for a future novel. We are peering into his world, a world that is very much real (and currently in development). To try to describe Luhrmann's film style to someone who hasn't seen it before is like trying to explain color to a blind person. All I can really say it that it does not fall short of what is expected.
I have two more points that I'll keep brief. First, the film was extremely well paced. The novel is not long, but there are many plot lines being explored and that alone can take hours to explain. The two hour twenty minute length doesn't drag the audiences into slumber nor does it do any injustice to the story. Second, the acting was tremendous. Of course nothing but excellence is anticipated when you throw in academy award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (whom, on a side note, is so sexy in this film) as Gatsby, critically acclaimed Carey Mulligan as Daisy, and Spider-Man (aka Tobey Maguire) as Nick. Phenomenal performances all around.
I am not too proud to admit that I cried frequently throughout the film. But what shocked me was what proceeded after I left the theater. Slightly speeding in the rain on the freeway listening to Adele on blast, I noticed how I was still very upset. How could Daisy do that to Jay? He loved her. HE LOVED HER! It was she, not George Wilson, that killed the hopeful dreamer that was Jay Gatsby. How could she do that? But I knew this was going to happen. I'd read the book. I knew the end. So why am I still so frustrated? It was because this film kept to the heart of the novel and upped the ante. The best part of film adaptations is the ability to breathe life into the story. And that is exactly what Luhrmann did. He used everything at his disposal (great actors, a wonderful individual style, a great script) to make an enticing and heart-wrenching film. He could have easily ruined a classic novel, but I'm glad to report it was far from failed.
So see the film. If not for the crazy beautiful soundtrack, the splendor that is the Luhrmann style, or for the sexy DiCaprio then see it to feel. Hope. Pain. Love. Loss. What I had to realize is that there are two things this story can teach: 1. The world is full of spiteful and cruel people who will crush your spirits and make your hope nonexistent, or 2. Dreamers have to try to make their hopes a reality despite what the outside world says or does to prove them false. We must dream. We must hope. And above all we must try. Begin with this film and then be inspired to embark on the voyage of the dreamer.