“The Great Gatsby,” a stunning motion picture directed by Baz Luhrmann, is based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Luhrmann is well-known for “Moulin Rouge” and the 1996 “Romeo and Juliet” film that featured a young Leonardo DiCaprio. “The Great Gatsby” was released in 2013, starring popular actors Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. In Luhrmann’s films, the screen is filled with bright colors, motion and beauty. The sporadic movement of camera angles can turn away an audience, but for some it is intriguing. The soundtrack of the movie revealed a wave of now timeless songs, such as “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey.
“The Great Gatsby” is set in the roaring ’20s, where drinking cheap alcohol and going to parties was a nightly activity. Main character Nick Carraway moved to New York to work on Wall Street, as the stockbroking field became a gold mine. Just across the water lives Carraway’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is played by Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton acts as Tom. Daisy is married to Tom, a wealthy polo player. The two have an unhealthy relationship as Tom has consistent affairs with various women, and Daisy loathes Tom’s personality and behavior.
Carraway found himself overly interested in his billionaire next-door neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby was known for his luxurious parties, where varieties of New Yorkers gather. Carraway eventually received an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties, and found himself amazed at the lavish glamor of Gatsby’s home. This party is where Carraway became unlikely friends with Daisy’s friend Jordan Baker, a pro golfer. Gatsby is known as an illusive character, as many of the partygoers admitted they’d never seen nor met Gatsby. As Carraway became distracted by liquor and music, a stately man approached him. Carraway asked if this man knew of Gatsby, to which the man replied, “I’m afraid I haven’t been a very good host, old sport … you see, I’m Gatsby.”
In a gorgeous snapshot of fireworks, Gatsby raises his glass in celebration. Carraway is stunned at the reveal of Gatsby, as it was not what he necessarily expected, considering the rumors about Gatsby. An associate of Gatsby approaches Baker, and requests that she speak with Gatsby immediately. As Carraway leaves the mansion, Baker runs to Carraway and says “I’ve just heard the most shocking thing, I’m simply amazed … it all makes sense”
Gatsby had shared that he moved to New York to be closer to Daisy. Gatsby hosted all of his parties in hopes that Daisy would come to one, but it never came true. Carraway was initially angry with Gatsby when Carraway learned this, as Carraway was upset about the secrets that were being told. At Gatsby’s request, Baker and Carraway met for tea. Baker explained how Gatsby and Daisy had known each other
many years ago. After Gatsby fought in the war, Daisy waited, but she was eventually swept away by Tom. The essence of time is represented beautifully in this film.
While this film leads viewers into thinking this story plays out positively, it is in fact a tragedy. The remainder of the movie is a love story between Gatsby and Daisy, which is riddled with secrets and emotion. The love that Gatsby has for Daisy is incomparable to many other film romances, as Gatsby paused his entire life to rekindle their once-beloved feelings for each other. In a heartbreaking end, Gatsby is shot and killed by the husband of Tom’s mistress, as Tom believed Gatsby was the one who had ruined the marriage.
In an alluring testament to love and life, “The Great Gatsby” is visually stunning and brimming with life lessons. While the film isn’t necessarily identical to the novel, the message that is portrayed still shines through. It’s impossible to recreate the past, or to predict the future. The love that Gatsby and Daisy share is a damning illustration of actions that have consequences. Gatsby wanted to completely start over, to rekindle what their relationship once was.
