Love has a crazy way on making people feel every emotion on soaring level. Whether it be happiness or depression, if you’re in love, for some reason the feelings are felt with extreme intensity. That’s what you can expect when you watch the film “The Great Gatsby,” directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, the mysterious millionaire who is longing to be reunited with his true love, Daisy Buchanan who is played by Carey Mulligan.
The film is narrated by Tobey Maguire who plays Nick Carraway, Daisy’s cousin. Originally based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby, after returning from war decided to base his life on everything he believed Daisy would have wanted. He recreated himself for love. The love that he had for Daisy can only be described in one word and that is powerful. Powerful because it displays what love can do to a man. The film is filled with hate, love, joy, intensity, every feeling that comes with love and it shows that in the most dramatic process. Gatsby struggles to find true and ultimate happiness just like any other love story but the difference is Gatsby has such incredible passion for Daisy, where he is willing to change everything about himself and his life. This story is set in the 1920’s, also known as the decade that was all about glam, extravagant parties, fashion and drama, the perfect setting for a love story.
As soon as the film begins you immediately sense that it’s something refreshing from any other film. Baz had a vision for “The Great Gatsby” in which he wanted to bring it to life and in doing so he succeeded. The film makes the viewer’s feel as if they are watching a play because the way the film was created can in fact make the viewer’s get lost in the film and have them forget that they were ever watching one. The acting from the entire cast was absolutely remarkable. Leonardo DiCaprio was meant to play the extraordinary role that is Jay Gatsby. DiCaprio puts his all in this role and the viewers will see that. Everything about this film fit perfectly, even the soundtrack.
The soundtrack was all modern and at first I was confused as I’m sure others were as well, but that made the film even more memorable. The soundtrack modernized the film in the most perfect way. Having poplar artists like Beyoncé, singing in the background made it that much more unique and I believe that is what Baz wanted. In comparison to the novel even though I have yet to read the book, hearing from those who have, they and as do I believe that this film was the perfect interpretation but of course the novel will always be superior than the film because as readers we interpret how we see the story. The surprise ending in “The Great Gatsby” will have you feeling so many emotions, but that’s what a great film is all about. The viewer’s leaving and thinking about every detail to the film.
“The Great Gatsby” is about a man whom everyone believed was invincible and able to take advantage of. A man who was always searching for the future. I enjoyed this film so much I went to see it for a second time. “The Great Gatsby” comes out on DVD on August 27th and I’ll be sure to pick up a copy. Go and watch “The Great Gatsby,” you won’t regret it.