There are some inaccuracies in the
movie in relation to the book, including the end where our narrator Nick
Carraway (Toby McGuire), claims he was the only one who showed for the funeral
of Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). In the book though, Gatsby’s father shows up
and the man from the library early on appears at the burial. This is a slight
inaccuracy, probably chosen to show just how alone Gatsby was supposed to be portrayed
to be, however what is the point of recreating a classic if they cannot get the
small but crucial things correct?Everyone has heard of the Great Gatsby;
whether it is in school where it was a reading assignment, or alluded to in
other books (The Fault in Our Stars by John Green) or even songs (Take “We Didn’t
Start the Fire” by Billy Joel”). In one way or another, we all know of the controversial
work, which has now been brought to the big screen for all to see e. The real
question is, is this movie worth all the hub bub it is receiving? Well the
answer is yes and no.
The cast was a breath, whether it is
of fresh air or of your best friends locker with who knows what living in there
and god knows what died in there. DiCaprio makes an amazing Gatsby, portraying
thick, gut wrenching emotions when need be, or throwing amazing parties where
he blends in with his guests. McGuire,
making a great Carraway with his outward view on the whole story just helping a
friend, for example as he replies to Gatsby about the vast number of flowers he
has brought to his house saying “I think it’s what you want.” Though there were
times he could have put a little more pizzazz into his role. The role of the
lovely Daisy Buchanan played was taken by storm by English actress Carey
Mulligan. Her beauty is all that I imagined for the role, yet sometimes she
doesn’t show that emotion, that power and attitude that one could only
associate with Daisy. Following up the rear is her husband Tom (Joe Edgerton).
I wish I could tell you the man did a smashing job of playing the man we all
love to hate, but now I just dislike him as the actor for the role. He was
nothing like Tom was described in the book, and throughout much of the movie it
seemed as though he didn’t really put his all into the part of a very important
character. Finally, on Daisy’s left we have Ms. Jordan Baker. Played by
Elizabeth Debecki, Jordan stands at a tall height of 5 ft. 9, making her
seemingly intimidating at first glance (okay maybe the next 10 or so as well).
Thought she didn’t have much to do in the 2nd half of the film, she
did her job very well as best friend though they should have tried to turn a
little focus on her unhonesty that is highlighted in the novel.
The soundtrack for the film blew me
away, having heard it before the movie was released. I fell in love with the
mixture of the 20’s with current day, with the album featuring well known
artists such as Jay-Z, Will. I. Am, Lana Del Rey and Florence and the Machine. The
songs were integrated almost seamlessly into the film, there being parts where
the songs were probably just thrown in there to make sure it’s heard. All in
all, this movie will blow you away with the parties, the plot, the cast and everything
else you could think of. There may be some inaccuracies but the book is still
there for you to now watch. So what are you waiting for?
