What I'm Watching: The Great Gatsby

Warner Bros.

Why I watched it: I had no real interest in seeing this in theaters. The idea of once again adapting Fitzgerald's beloved novel about the elusive and empty "American Dream" didn't interest me, and the idea of Baz Luhrmann (Romeo+Juliet, Moulin Rouge) having creative control presented a whole host of other possible issues. For those of you familiar (obsessed) with Moulin Rouge, you know Luhrmann loves the grand and dramatic saturated in a never ending cycle of heavily saturated spectacles. Don't get me wrong, I actually really like Moulin Rouge, surprisingly enough, and think it is almost a perfect example of how a musical should be. Still, the pizazz of Moulin Rouge is about all I can take, and it was tolerable and enjoyable because it fit the story-line. In the case of The Great Gatsby, I never imagined it as the rip-roaring twenties full of booze and (very modern) partying that the trailers for this movie exhibited. The cast seemed like a good choice (aside from Tobey Maguire who I am not too fond of) though, and if anything, perhaps it'd be worth watching for the sake of some pretty colors and scenery.

What I thought: So yes, Luhrmann takes the flash, pomp, dazzle, and grandeur to a level that is fun to watch, but does not feel true to the novel. Luhrmann tries very hard to emphasize how Nick Carraway (Maguire) gets caught up in the dream of the roaring twenties and finds the hope and optimism he longs for manifested in the character of Jay Gatsby. However, much of the symbolism relies entirely on the spectacle which feels overdone rendering much of the rich symbolism and themes moot. Leonardo DiCaprio (Gatsby) and Carrey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan) definitely steal the show though and present the best performances. Still, even their performances and those of the rest of the cast feel forced at times; especially the emphasized way in which everyone talks. Joel Edgerton's (Tom Buchanan) attempt at a gruff voice is especially painful. Even though Luhrmann's attempts at communicating Fitzgerald's themes generally fall flat, the ending does capture Fitzgerald's ultimate message quite well. Much of his original language is used in the film spoken mainly through Carraway's narration but is most impacting when Luhrmann chooses to end the film with Fitzgerald's final lines of the novel: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms out further...And one fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." There are a few times such as these when The Great Gatsby that I remember so fondly reading in high school shines through, but overall, Luhrmann's visual aesthetic takes precedence and distracts from the point.

Should you watch it: For those of you who adore Fitzgerald's novel, I would say definitely watch it. Even though I don't think it interprets the original tone or atmosphere correctly, it's always good to see different adaptations to experience different interpretations. And for those of you who don't remember the novel or don't care, I would say see it as well. Don't expect to be blown away or anything, but if you go in not expecting much, I think you'll enjoy it even more.