Overrated Adaptation Of Fitzgerald's Novel

Rating: 6/10 (25 May 2015)

In spite of having a degree in journalism, and has high regards to literary masterpieces and have had the honour to read and admire the one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". I was also very fond of the the adaptations that came after like the 1974 Robert Redford and Mia Farrow version and also the 2000 adaptation starring Mira Sorvino and Toby Stephens. And I'm sure my teachers and instructors if they ever had the chance to see this later adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann, they like me will likely have their eyes rolling. At least more so than me. But even though I know the story and the happenings, I went to see what Mr. Luhrmann has to offer. And one bit of advice for those who saw the movie, but never had the pleasure read the book, read it after not because of what justice Luhrmann did with the book, but more like what he neglected.
Tobey Maguire stars as Nick Carraway a former writer who's now in the bond-selling business. He seems fond for his neighbour, a charismatic, dynamic millionaire, James Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Every evening he throws these elaborate parties at his abode, but is still quite melancholy. He still has feeling for Nick's cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Daisy has moved on in a rather unloved marriage to a skirt-chasing scoundrel named Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Gatsby lives on the opposing side of the lake where Tom and Daisy live. Her persuades Nick to set up a reunion in hopes to reignite the flame to the torch that was put out years ago.
Like all of his movies before this one (that includes "Moulin Rouge"), Luhrmann takes has execution in an over-the-top perspective which will be liked by some chastised by others. Once again this movie like "Moulin Rouge" falls victim for the usage of playing inappropriate music that doesn't fit the time period. Which to me is ludicrous. I found it absurd to see Mr. Gatsby driving his car to the sounds of Jay-Z with contributions to modern artists like will.i.am, Beyonce and Lana del Ray, when yet he should be driving to the beat of big band artists like Charlie "Bird' Parker,Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. Sure these modern artists may make this film a bit more fun, but it's still inappropriate. And to add more to this strange brew, Luhrmann decided to make this film in 3D. It might work well in the party scenes along with the streamers, confetti and fireworks to give it more in-your-face look. But by the second half of the the film, the 3D just loses its necessity. But it's still fun to look at.
So even though the visual effects are a thing of beauty, the storytelling was what brought this film down quite tremendously. Sure his flamboyance in making the film look exquisite, but the actual story itself leaves you with an empty feeling in the end. The plot was quite impressive with Gatsby and Daisy trying to get back together, but at times the execution feels quite tiresome and not very fulfilling. DiCaprio and Mulligan turn in great performances, but the passion and devotion to one another isn't very convincing. They seem to not have much chemistry between the two and that ruins the atmosphere substantially especially since they're trying to get back together after their love was taken from them. Tobey Maguire looks very one-dimensional as Carraway. But let's not implant the blame game on Maguire, but it's the script by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce which has him narrating and observing the world around him, without really having any idea how he feels about what he's up against.
The final minutes of the film get quite dramatically intense and the gist of the story is where the story really starts to unfold. By then it was too little too late. Sure the film is visually stunning, the music was fun, though not fitting the time period, the performances were impressive and the story was splendid. But in spite of all that, the film did not offer enough bit than it should have. With all the scandals,mysticism and romance it has to offer, it still left me feeling cheated. The film is entertaining as it is, but overall it is still overrated. The book is way better if not see the older adaptations for better details.