The Great Gatsby - Review

So I've set myself a challenge, no looking up, no re-edits or constant re-reads, just grammar and spell checking, and do it as fast as possible. In order to really put my opinion out I'm firing this review out fast and frantic and without too much forethought. Much how the film The Great Gatsby actually feels. As with anything that Baz Luhrmann lays his hands on, The Great Gatsby is the absolute definition of over the top. Everything from the cinematography, the special effects, the music, all are dripping with opulence and luxury, the costumes are astounding and the characters full of emotion and rather ridiculous. Welcome to the Luhrmann with a big budget in a cinematic world that just begs men like him to create spectacles and for you to wear 3D spectacles.

The Great Gatsby has turned many heads and raised many eyebrows as it's not exactly new ground for cinema, there have been incarnations of this American literary masterpiece before. The fact that the book is held in such high esteem, I can't help but draw parallels to Luhrmanns past work. He doubted so many doubters when he modernised Romeo & Juliet. But back when celluloid was king and the idea of modern style 3D was impossible, Luhrmann had a boundary, that ultimately kept him reigned in. Moulin Rouge is the obvious pre-cursor to this as it has a similar pace and over exuberance. With Gatsby I would say he's pushed this modernisation a little over board but in doing so created something memorable.

The thing is I went in blind, never read the book, had no idea what it was about, I was there as a film fan. For all its grandiose pomposity, I really enjoyed what I saw, even with stupid 3D, I got wrapped up in the ridiculousness of it. There was a fantastic sense of optimism and desperation wrapped in an inventive shooting style. The sets stand out, they're memorable, when Nick (Tobey Maguire) steps in to that room to meet Daisy (Carey Mulligan) the curtains flying wildly, but almost like their dancing, it imprinted on me. The telling of it from Nicks memory as a recovering alcoholic isn't particularly meaningful, however it occasionally offers a respite from the furious pace the story has. The film has only one setting and it's cranked up to 11, every scene feels electrically charged. The modern music soundtrack adding to this furious nature as cars fly along like they're in a Fast and Furious film. The over use of CGI had me at odd's, most of it looked decent but some of it wasn't great and it pulled me out of the film because I felt like I was watching a video game. There's a real effort to get as much in here and that's obvious, given the long running time, and as the plot unfolds and the pace simmers it does feel very long. But the stars dazzle and Leonardo DiCaprio is well cast as the obscure Gatsby, reminding me of his role as the very troubled Howard Hughes in Aviator. Tobey Maguire isn't quite as irritating as usual but he still over eggs as an idealist and when he gets serious I still never buy it. Carey Mulligan is stunning and well cast for this, along with her brutish husband played by Joel Edgerton.

I came out of the cinema feeling I had really enjoyed what I saw, but once again I felt I'd have enjoyed it more without the glasses. They still irritate me and the only time I've ever been comfortable with them was for Life Of Pi. Having said that it did not let it effect my opinion of the film. There are moments of good cinema here, but you feel that there is something far deeper that Luhrmann is attempting to reach for, but just isn't quite getting there, and this is hindered by it's relentlessness in beating you over the head with computer generated images and Jay-Z songs. Younger audiences will find it dazzling and extraordinary if a little daft, and to be honest, that's how I would describe Lurmanns films in general.

Also set myself a record, 1 hour from first writing to posting, not bad, I reckon.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆