MOVIE BRIEF: The Great Gatsby
PLOT: Unless you've been tucked beneath a rock for the past year, you've undoubtedly heard about Baz Luhrmann's film adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby; a story about the rich and elusive Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), known for throwing lavish parties, at which he is seldom seen.
Since first reading the novel as a tweener, I pondered whether it was really about Jay Gatsby or the narrator Nick Carraway (Tobey Macguire). Is it Carraway's ambition of financial success and desire to fit in with the well-to-do that is the focus; or is it about Gatsby's devotion to the self-centered Daisy, which we are glaringly reminded of throughout the film in the form of a daisy motif. It's in his sprawling courtyard, on a duvet cover for his bed, in the bottom of his pool, and on a signet ring he wears on his pinky finger?
Carraway seeks fortune on Wall Street as a bonds salesman and lives modestly in a cottage in the nouveau riche area of West Egg next door to Gatsby, who is determined to win the heart of socialite Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton) and lives in a mansion in old money East Egg directly across the river from Gatsby. Gatsby frequently stares across the river at the Buchanan estate and observes a green light intermittently shining, almost like a beacon of hope.
ENGAGEMENT: The story has been told before – in a novel as well as onscreen adaptions. So, it's unlikely anyone can say they've never heard of "The Great Gatsby." But it's as if Luhrmann gives us a peak inside the mind of Fitzgerald as he concepts the elaborate tale featuring Gatsby in all his glory wearing a tailored pink suit, driving a fancy yellow car, and living in a castle-like estate.
