“I remembered how we had all come to Gatsby’s and guessed at his corruption, while he stood before us concealing an incorruptible dream.” –Nick Carraway.

“I remembered how we had all come to Gatsby’s and guessed at his corruption, while he stood before us concealing an incorruptible dream.” –Nick Carraway.

Over the years, several attempts were made at making a film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, “The Great Gatsby”. But none was as successful as Baz Luhrmann’s recent version. This was the fifth time that a movie on the novel was made, and it did hit the jackpot. Without a doubt, “The Great Gatsby” was one of the best films of 2013.
Bond-seller Nick Carraway is in a sanitarium, being treated for alcoholism, insomnia and anger issues. The recollection of what put him in that position consists of the plot. Seven years previously, Nick had just moved to the fictional West Egg in Long Island to conduct business in New York, when he got an invitation to a party at his neighbour’s. His neighbour, a mysterious, young, lavish man, was Jay Gatsby, who threw the best parties of that time. While at the party, Nick and Gatsby realise that they had been in army together during war, thus strengthening their bond. Soon Nick discovers that Gatsby — who we later learn made his fortune by illegal means — had been in love with Nick’s cousin Daisy, since before the war.
Daisy was married to Tom Buchanan in Gatsby’s absence. Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy over for tea, where their love reignites, while Buchanan was having an extra-marital affair as well. However, soon things change as Gatsby and Buchanan get into a fight over their beloved Daisy that changes the lives of everybody involved, and leads to the climax of the plot, which I shall not disclose for your benefit. Due to further twists in the tale, Nick decides to leave New York. But on his last night there, he visits Gatsby’s mansion and realises how far Gatsby had come, only for the sake of his beloved.
The plot is confusing, but as the story unfolds, everything is clarified. I particularly liked the symbolism in the movie: the green light and Gatsby’s ring were portrayed with perfection. One of the side-effects of watching this movie is that you’d be inclined to call everyone an “old sport” as Gatsby does countless times, and it stuck with me for days!
By the end of the movie, I wished that I had seen it on the big screen, especially in 3D. I can’t emphasise enough the vivacity of the party scenes. Songs, dance, fireworks, pool — Gatsby’s soirees had everything that can put any modern day shindig to shame. The outburst of colours, which was taken good care of by the visual effects team, is sufficient to leave a lasting impression on the audience’s mind.
Leonardo DiCaprio did justice to the role of Jay Gatsby; critics go inasmuch to say that nobody else could have played the role better. Similarly, Tobey Maguire was at the top of his performance, playing Nick Carraway. Although critics questioned the casting of Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan at first, she played her roll to perfection. Joel Edgerton and Amitabh Bachchan acted quite well too.
Movie adaptations of novels seldom please the fans, but that is not the case with “The Great Gatsby”. In fact, the film stayed as true to the original plot as possible, with a few minor alterations where necessary. On the down-side, the movie was a tad longer than necessary. But that aside, this movie is worthy of every last applause it gets. Verdict: I would pay to watch this movie in a hall, but alas, we are devoid of such luxury. Spare 143 minutes for this movie. It won’t be a disappointment, regardless of whether or not you’ve read the novel.