The Great Gatsby

[Rachel]

Went to see The Great Gatsby yesterday and I'm of two minds about it. First off - it is LONG, a little over 2 and half hours. Part of the reason for that lenght is the movie was shot in 3D and they added a lot of stuff which, if you saw the movie in 3D (I didn't), probably looked very, very, cool. Unfortunately, the stuff that might have looked very, very, cool in 3D didn't really add much to the story-line. For example, the first party scene lasts about 20 minutes - uh, sorry, but after 5 I got the idea. Jay Gatsby throws really lavish, over-the-top parties.

On the other hand, it is well cast and acted. Leonardo DiCaprio is an amazing Gatsby. I think he captured the wistfulness of the Gatsby of the book, one who still, after all he had done and been through, still believed in happy endings. Carey Mulligan is a good Daisy also, a weak, selfish, woman. I was surprised by how much I liked Toby Maguire as Nick - the older version of the movie used a relatively unknown to play Nick, in keeping with the sort of "standing back and observing" role that he plays in the story. But Toby Maguire managed to project a great deal of innocence in this role that was just right.

Overall - worth the price of admission, if a tad to long. But then again, as my daughter pointed out, maybe we only thought it was too long since we knew how it ended!

[kissmekate]

Oh, thanks for your impression of this, Rachel!

I love the book, and I remember a theatre version I saw during my school days very fondly, but I wasn't very sure I wanted to see the movie. I'm embarrassed to say that poor Leo still suffers from his Titanic role whenever I think of him, although I know he does have talent.

I can imagine Tobey Maguire playing Nick rather well, too.

[kygal]

My daughter really liked it. I think she watched the 2-D version. Thanks for the review. Still trying to decide if I want to see it in the theater or when it comes to cable.

[rueful]

Thanks for giving us your review, Rachel. I had seen the trailer in the theater months ago, and it didn't make me want to run out to see it. It looked like it would be aimed at a younger audience than me, with lots of quick camera cuts and loud music. (LOL, do I sound like an old lady or what?) But now that I read your review, it's possible the trailer was focused a lot on the party you mention, and of course trailers ARE usually aimed at younger audiences.

[megagem]

Thanks for your review Rachel, I for one am stuck on whether or not I should see it or wait for the DVD.
I for one was thrilled to hear that Tobey Maguire was set to play Nick. Since I first read the book in high school I've pictured him in that role. I'm not necessarily a fan of his, but he seemed to fit the print version of the role perfectly.
I was very excited to hear Carey Mulligan was playing Daisy. I'm a big fan of Carey's and I'd love to see her act in something alongside Rufus at some point.

[anyother]

I'm off to see this tonight in 3D, though I'm not fond of 3D as a rule (putting 3D glasses over my glasses is such a bother). The book was too much of a compulsory read back in school for me to really enjoy it at the time, but I'm curious to know what Baz Luhrman made of it. Scott Fitzgerald's granddaughter seemed to like it, I read. I'm planning to do a re-read of the book in the next couple of weeks.

As for Leo diC, he looks alright in the movie stills, but I saw a Cannes film festival image of him and he should really get rid of that ridiculous goatee (or whatever it's called). Maybe he grew it because his Titanic past still haunts him...

[Rachel]

I would recommend the movie - even with my quibbles, I enjoyed it and thought it stayed pretty true to the book. It might be best to see it in 3D to take advantage of the special effects though.

I thought Leo did a great job as Gatsby, and I'm old enough to remember Robert Redford in the role. I think Leo did a better job in showing Gatsby's rough edges than RR did.

[anyother]

I just remembered I forgot to tell what I thought of this - I'm not fond of 3D but it's perfect for this film. It's beautifully made and Leo was an excellent Gatsby. Tobey Maguire did well too! My husband didn't think it much of a story but definitely liked the look of it, the way the period was portrayed and how the music fitted in. And it's a long film, but it didn't feel 'long' at all - really captivating. I just reread the book, and it certainly did credit to it!