This may be only the fifth feature film to come from his twenty year directorial career, but Baz Luhrmann is one of those rare artists who puts years worth of effort into one spectacular show, and his adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel is undoubtedly one of the biggest movies of the year.
With a story and style reminiscent of Luhrmann's insatiable Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby is a visual wonder - especially in 3D - with penniless writers, modern music in period settings, and colourful characters that burst onto the scene with ceaseless energy. The director's undeniable talent for creating really engaging and three-dimensional atmosphere is as noticeable as ever, with stunning scenery and dazzling cinematography captivating the audience from start to finish.
Jay Gatsby is a mysterious, and judging by his palatial abode disgustingly rich, reclusive eccentric who hosts parties to rival The Playboy Mansion, splashing out countless dollars on indulging his uninvited guests every weekend. One night, young hopeful Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) is actually invited to one such soiree, who having been fed Oz-style "not nobody, not nohow" lines is stunned to be greeted in person by his questionable host.
Gatsby - Leonardo DiCaprio in a passionate, matured performance - quickly befriends Nick, whose now-married cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) is the long lost love of the millionaire, and the two pull off a humorously floral reunion, triggering a jealous, obsessive and destructive love tangle.
Tension boils, with every performance right on the money, and particularly overwhelming maturation from DiCaprio, whose recent thriller films like Shutter Island and Inception have proved him a capable handler of older, darker roles.
Interesting use of soundtrack stands out, with heavy techno beats pumping out covers of Beyonce and Amy Winehouse hits, which certainly seem like odd choices all things considered. However, the pace of narrative and camera work make the music strangely well suited to the visuals, and in keeping with Luhrmann's favourite era-merging technique.
A word about the 3D feature: it is most definitely worth it. Unlike most 3D movies where action is in regular 2D, with the occasional flying machete or shower of confetti making use of the effects, The Great Gatsby is entirely in 3D. Characters, sets and backdrops alike stand out with perfect clarity, only enhancing what is already a visually stunning and wonderfully thrilling movie.
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