I never read books. Unless you consider listening to an audio book reading. I might pick up a magazine once in a while, but the most reading I actually do will be on the sites of other bloggers and when you read the reviews of this movie each and everyone seems to mention what a stunning book The Great Gatsby is and how it is unfilmable. Since I don’t have that knowledge I’ll just assume that is true and focus on my first encounter with the story, through the movie.
What the story of the movie boils down to is simple: It is about a very wealthy man, trying to do everything to win back a long-lost love. That story is told not directly by the filmmaker (the movie was directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also directed Moulin Rouge!, which I really love), but by a friend of Gatsby, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire). He is writing a book which he reads to the viewer. You hear how he got to know Gatsby and as a viewer you go along for the ride set at the start of the twenties of the previous century. The costumes and especially the parties Gatsby is organising are a beautiful sight to behold. Luhrmann knows how to make something look pretty, but unfortunately that’s isn’t enough to make a movie engaging.
After finishing the movie I felt like I had seen a very beautiful woman, who looks really nice, but after getting to know her you find out that she doesn’t have much to say. She can’t engage you in the way you would have liked. The movie lacked the heart I was looking for. DiCaprio is excellent in his role and Tobey Maguire is just there to drive the story. Carey Muligan as the love interest does not have enough to do to give her character the depth she needs and it was not clear to me why Gatsby was going through great lengths in order to win her.
Part of the story takes place in a very poor neighbourhood where there is a big billboard which is constantly in the shot and I kept wondering what was so significant about it without it ever being effectively used. I saw the movie without the 3D and thought that some of the effect did not look good. A good example of this are the zooms towards the houses, which were clearly CG and missed some necessary detail to make them convincing. Then there is the soundtrack, Luhrmann successfully blended different song in Moulin Rouge and set them in an era when this music did not exist. Here he tries to do the same with music by the likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce and to me it did not work at all. It stood out way too much. So my first encounter with the Great Gatsby was not a very positive one. I’ve bought the previous version starring Warren Beatty and even though I read that is not very good either I’m going to give it a chance to at least see how much they differ.
First of all, reading audiobooks IS reading. Ask anybody whose eyes don’t work very well. I read books and listen — often both for the same book.
You are by no means the only person who thinks this is a mediocre effort. No one has “gotten” it. Fitzgerald’s characters don’t easily translate to film.
This is not on my “must see” list. I’ll give it a look see on cable. Until then, it can wait.
Try the audiobook. You might like it. Or hate it. Regardless, it will give you a better idea why it’s so hard to turn the book into a good movie. Fitzgerald isn’t everybody’s cuppa tea 😉
What Marilyn said. I agree with her 100%.
Amen.
Glad to hear you agree, although some people think it isn’t. I like audiobooks, because it allows me to read when I’m just walking around during my lunch breaks.
Yeah, I see very mixed opinions about this film and I’d be interested to see what the book is like.
Good review Nostra. It’s so damn pretty that when you actually get underneath all of it, you become disappointed because you know that’s all that’s really keeping it together. Well, that and Leo’s performance which is really good, even if I feel like his “old sport” gets played out a bit a too early.
Thanks Dan. As I was watching I already didn’t feel completely connected, maybe because the voiceover added a bit of what you should be feeling and I did not like that. Yeah, there is a lot of that “old sport” said 🙂
Nice review, I agree. I’m a huge fan of the book and the movie doesn’t do it justice.
It is a shame, because it did have potential.
I thought it was okay. The sometimes awkward editing didn’t help some of the more stylish scenes. I don’t think they stayed on the same shot for more than five seconds. Just bounding from one angle to another. So hyperactive!
As for Maguire, bless, he does try, but he falls flat in his role as a narrative a guide. There is so much going on and so much of Luhrmann’s dreamworld to absorb that poor Maguire gets lost in it all. Without a compelling presence from Maguire, Nick was demoted from having a role as an interpreter of events to just being another character, who unfortunately is a bit boring and dull.
I didn’t take note of the length of the shots, but remembering how it was in Moulin Rouge it does not surprise me.
Exactly, his character just did not offer a lot extra to the story.
You and I are on the same page with this one.
Good to hear Victor! 🙂
Haven’t seen it yet but this review is really confirming my preconceived notions. Will hopefully see it next week but expecting an average watch.
Hope you will get more out of it than I did Louise…
It was one of my most waited films this year and that is why I am very very disappointed by this. Mulligan and Di Caprio are great (as always) but otherwise it is just a glittering but shallow adaptation.
I can understand that Erik!
I am finding it hard to think of a time when I read a review of a film with DiCaprio in it that did not have the words “DiCaprio is excellent in his role”. He really is a top, top actor and one of the best of our generation.
As for Gatsby, I too have never read the book, but agree, for all the swanky parties and amazing set pieces. It feels a bit deflating once you get into it.
Yeah, he is such a good actor I actually should stop mentioning it in my reviews 😉
Yeah, I too cant help but mention it every time I watch a film with him in.
Nice review! I haven’t read the book either, and I already had my suspicions when the release date got pushed further. I guess it didn’t live up to people’s expectations. I haven’t seen it, but I’d still like to because of the sheer beauty of it (shallow as it is). Definitely not getting my hopes up.
Thank you Beatrice. I did not know the release date was pushed! I would say to check it out once it is available on DVD/Blu Ray/On Demand.
I’m holding my reservations for this quite low, honestly. Nothing I’ve seen about this film has excited me (and I have zero interest in the book) but I have faith in Bazz (Moulin Rouge is a Top 3 Film in my life) to deliver something…. unique, if not always entertaining.
Good, honest review, Nostra. Nice work.
You should, in that case it can only get better than your expectations. I also love Moulin Rouge, but this one? Not for me…
I couldn’t agree more when it comes to Carey Mulligan. I don’t think it is exactly her fault, but of the script. I think she largely remains a distant object, like a precious gem he can’t seem to get. Perhaps this is what the director intended, but it goes against what the audience needs to engage in Gatsby’s struggle to get her back. At the end, she just seems like a pretty girl without much substance who somehow managed to captivate such an incredibly man.
I felt for DiCaprio and what his Gatsby was going through, but I did not understand his insistence nor sympathized with his obsession because she never showed her worth beyond a pretty face.
Going back to Carey Mulligan, I emphasize my opinion that it was not a fault of her own. She has demonstrated to be a very capable actress. If I am ever unconvinced, all I need to do is give “Shame” a rewatch. On it, both her and Fassbender were truly remarkable.