"The Great Gatsby" (2013)

I love this movie. I love the story. I love the costumes, the outfits, and the mannerisms of this era...all of it.

I always say Baz Luhurman’s style of directing is very distinct in the majority of his films. You can tell instantly it was directed by him. And the editing is great. There’s a lot of fast-pace/sweeping shots that give a kind of disjointed feel...if that’s an adequate way of describing it. Very similar to those in “Moulin Rouge” and “Romeo + Juliet”. I notice this particularly in the beginning of the film, like, for example, when we meet Daisy for the first time. I like the shots that feature here of the windows open and the curtains flying out everywhere in the breeze. It gives her character a slight ambiguity which kind of serves well for later on in the film I think. And Carrie Mulligan plays her so well.

I like Nick’s narration throughout the film. And I like Nick’s character very much. I always feel sorry for him though because in the whole story he’s watching everyone else’s life and almost living through their story and none of them preocuppy themselves with any problems that he himself might have at any time. He even states later on in the film “Today’s my birthday” which no one had acknowledged and between everything, he himself had forgotten. He serves as a crossroad, if you will, which the other characters he meets use to get from A to B. There’s a deleted scene where a romance between Nick and Daisy’s friend Jordan Baker, becomes more apparent and I really wish it was kept in. But Baz Luhurman stated that it would have taken the emphasis off the main romance between Daisy and Jay...which I reluctantly agree with. But even so. I feel sorry for him. I think this aspect is delved into more in the book though but there just wasn’t time in the film.

I remember feeling a bit impatient in the cinema awaiting Jay Gatsby’s presence since my main reason for going to see the film was for Leonardo DiCaprio! Actually I think this was the first film with Leonardo DiCaprio that I actually saw in the cinema so it was kind of a big deal at the time for me‼ He’s brilliant. Never disappoints. But we don’t actually meet Jay Gatsby until maybe half an hour into the film. But I love this build up in the plot. I love how it gradually reveals the character of Jay Gatsby slowly. We’re given an indication of what to expect based on the rumours and assumptions of others, but we eventually learn that he is all these things and more which makes his character quite fascinating.

I like the scene where Jay and Daisy meet again for the first time in years. I find it quite amusing: Leonardo DiCaprio’s expressions and stance at the beginning of it, particularly when Nick opens the door and he’s just standing there sopping wet and slightly panic-stricken. I remember the laughter in the cinema when he broke the clock! But I like this particular incident because it highlights Jay’s desire of wanting to reverse time, or rewrite their past. Plus the colours in this scene kind of come together perfectly. Daisy’s dress matches all the flowers and even Jay’s suit (while I personally don’t particularly care for the white suit) goes well with them too and the fact that the cabinets and cupboards in Nick’s house are a dark wood makes the flowers stand out more. - It all just seems to fit! The colours throughout the movie are very bright and striking actually. I love Jay's yellow car!

The music is ok. I like the piano version of Lana Del Rey’s “Young And Beautiful”. It features a lot in the film. - Daisy’s theme!

This is a film to put on your list of ones to watch. I haven’t yet read the book, but some day in the future I would like to. 

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