The Great Gatsby premiered last night and as I watched it through the lenses of my 3D glasses all I could think about was how long I have been pining and hoping for this movie. The whole word has been waiting for this book to be adapted into a decent movie. This most recent try, the fourth one, by Baz Luhrmann is up to par, but it wasn't without it's issues. The movie takes 3 1/2 stars from me. As a person who has eternal hope, much like Gatsby, I felt myself still holding onto that hope throughout the film. I was still cherishing that green light at the end of the dock, and in the end I wasn't disappointed.
As a person who was in love with the characters in the book, I was enamored with the cast that was chosen. Many a critic have been making their piece about how they think that Tobey Maguire wasn't the best puzzle piece to represent the naive narrator Nick Carraway. Complaints are coming in the form of he played it too immature and tried too earnestly in the role. I think the naysayers are off their rockers, Maguire was a superb choice for the role. Carey Mulligan shined as the poor little rich girl who is holding onto the thought of running away with Gatsby while still tormented by the thought of leaving her marriage.
And the incomparable role of Jay Gatsby was played out by the lovely, accomplished and poised Leonardo DiCaprio. This is the part of the blog where I could go on for just about two days, gushing all about Leo and how his performance in this role is one of the greatest things since sliced bread (not to mention the best portrayal by anyone who has attempted/ever could dream to attempt this role). Gatsby is such a complex and deep character, his is a role that many have tried and in my opinion, no one has ever conquered. But DiCaprio knows how to study a role. He picked up on every subtle nuance of the character, it almost seemed as though the character from the pages literally came alive. He is dazzling, strong, powerful and yet insecure, out of control, angry and desolate all at the same time! My favorite moment of him onscreen is when he embodies Walt Disney when he says: "Of course you can!" in response to not being able to repeat the past. There is a literal twinkle in his eye standing for the desire to finally make his life right. He is longing and praying that his scheming, manipulating, self-inflating and party-throwing parade wil pay off with the final reward of Daisy in his arms forever. But little does he know what will befall him. My favorite character has always been Gatsby and so for that part to be signed, sealed, and delivered made me overjoyed, literally.
My reactions to the rest of movie were not all the same glee and joy, but like I said, I really did enjoy it. The party scenes are well done with all the glitz, glamour and martinis I think possible shoved into the camera lens. The costumes are phenomenal and the story matches the book with grace and elegance. The music was a double-edged sword for me. This story takes place in the 1920's, and yet the music in the film was all current ballads with pumping bass and special effects. "H to the Izzo" by Jay-Z is even played during one scene for a brief amount time. I find nothing wrong with this style of music, but finding it in the middle of Model-T Fords and flapper haircuts makes it seem out of place and makes you feel like you are watching a movie set in current times. It would fit without a second glance if the movie didn't also include several shots of actual footage from the 1920's. Luhrmann is famous for taking the reality out of a film and putting the party into it. He didn't let audiences down in that respect. The reality is not all there, which is actually okay with me in a movie like this. Of course this story is realistic fiction, but there have always been elements of glamour and allure behind the voice of Nick Carraway the narrator. Those elements allowed Luhrmann to take his ideas to the next level, and in that he succeeded.
All the negative things being said, at the end of the film I found myself wanting the story to carry on. I wanted to bring Gatsby back and revel in the good times again. That's the spirit of the novel, always having that eternal hope and loving life. There are always going to be hard times and people are always going to be shady and do things they shouldn't, but the hope in humanity and love should carry on. Leo and the rest of the cast, and Luhrmann's vision allowed me to have that same feeling. Get to the theater and decide for yourself.
As a person who was in love with the characters in the book, I was enamored with the cast that was chosen. Many a critic have been making their piece about how they think that Tobey Maguire wasn't the best puzzle piece to represent the naive narrator Nick Carraway. Complaints are coming in the form of he played it too immature and tried too earnestly in the role. I think the naysayers are off their rockers, Maguire was a superb choice for the role. Carey Mulligan shined as the poor little rich girl who is holding onto the thought of running away with Gatsby while still tormented by the thought of leaving her marriage.
And the incomparable role of Jay Gatsby was played out by the lovely, accomplished and poised Leonardo DiCaprio. This is the part of the blog where I could go on for just about two days, gushing all about Leo and how his performance in this role is one of the greatest things since sliced bread (not to mention the best portrayal by anyone who has attempted/ever could dream to attempt this role). Gatsby is such a complex and deep character, his is a role that many have tried and in my opinion, no one has ever conquered. But DiCaprio knows how to study a role. He picked up on every subtle nuance of the character, it almost seemed as though the character from the pages literally came alive. He is dazzling, strong, powerful and yet insecure, out of control, angry and desolate all at the same time! My favorite moment of him onscreen is when he embodies Walt Disney when he says: "Of course you can!" in response to not being able to repeat the past. There is a literal twinkle in his eye standing for the desire to finally make his life right. He is longing and praying that his scheming, manipulating, self-inflating and party-throwing parade wil pay off with the final reward of Daisy in his arms forever. But little does he know what will befall him. My favorite character has always been Gatsby and so for that part to be signed, sealed, and delivered made me overjoyed, literally.
My reactions to the rest of movie were not all the same glee and joy, but like I said, I really did enjoy it. The party scenes are well done with all the glitz, glamour and martinis I think possible shoved into the camera lens. The costumes are phenomenal and the story matches the book with grace and elegance. The music was a double-edged sword for me. This story takes place in the 1920's, and yet the music in the film was all current ballads with pumping bass and special effects. "H to the Izzo" by Jay-Z is even played during one scene for a brief amount time. I find nothing wrong with this style of music, but finding it in the middle of Model-T Fords and flapper haircuts makes it seem out of place and makes you feel like you are watching a movie set in current times. It would fit without a second glance if the movie didn't also include several shots of actual footage from the 1920's. Luhrmann is famous for taking the reality out of a film and putting the party into it. He didn't let audiences down in that respect. The reality is not all there, which is actually okay with me in a movie like this. Of course this story is realistic fiction, but there have always been elements of glamour and allure behind the voice of Nick Carraway the narrator. Those elements allowed Luhrmann to take his ideas to the next level, and in that he succeeded.
All the negative things being said, at the end of the film I found myself wanting the story to carry on. I wanted to bring Gatsby back and revel in the good times again. That's the spirit of the novel, always having that eternal hope and loving life. There are always going to be hard times and people are always going to be shady and do things they shouldn't, but the hope in humanity and love should carry on. Leo and the rest of the cast, and Luhrmann's vision allowed me to have that same feeling. Get to the theater and decide for yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment