The Great Gatsby is a 2013 American romantic drama film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. The movie is directed by Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan.
Overview
The Great Gatsby is known for its lavish parties, romantic entanglements, and tragic ending. It is a story about the American Dream and how it is ultimately unattainable. The movie is set in the 1920s, during the height of the Jazz Age, and explores themes of excess, wealth, and love.
What?
The movie follows the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws lavish parties in hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and abusive man who is having an affair with a local woman, Myrtle Wilson. As the story unfolds, we see the characters interact in a web of lies, secrets, and deception.
Why?
The Great Gatsby is a timeless story that explores the human condition. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess, greed, and ambition. The movie touches on themes of love, loss, and the American Dream. Through the characters’ struggles, we see the fragility of human nature and the consequences of our actions.
Cast
The Great Gatsby features a talented cast that brings the story to life. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a stunning performance as Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic millionaire with a tragic past. Tobey Maguire is equally impressive as Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story. Carey Mulligan’s portrayal of Daisy Buchanan is captivating and emotional. The supporting cast, which includes Joel Edgerton and Elizabeth Debicki, also shines in their roles.
Synopsis
The Great Gatsby begins with Nick Carraway moving from the Midwest to New York City in the summer of 1922. He rents a small house in West Egg, a wealthy area of Long Island, where he befriends his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Nick soon learns that Gatsby is a millionaire who throws lavish parties every weekend.
One day, Gatsby invites Nick to his party, where he meets Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s lost love. Daisy is now married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and abusive man who is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, a local woman.
Despite their respective relationships, Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their romance. However, their happiness is short-lived when Tom finds out about the affair and confronts Gatsby. Gatsby tries to convince Daisy to leave Tom, but she cannot bring herself to do it.
Meanwhile, Myrtle’s husband, George Wilson, discovers her affair and becomes obsessed with finding out who she is sleeping with. He eventually learns that it is Tom and seeks revenge. In a tragic turn of events, Myrtle is hit by Gatsby’s car and killed, and George kills Gatsby before taking his own life.
Plot
The Great Gatsby is a complex story that explores a wide range of themes. At its core, the movie is a love story between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is a self-made millionaire who has been obsessed with Daisy for years. He throws elaborate parties in hopes of attracting her attention and winning back her love.
Daisy, on the other hand, is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and abusive man. Despite her feelings for Gatsby, she cannot bring herself to leave Tom and start a new life with him.
The story takes a tragic turn when Myrtle Wilson, the woman Tom is having an affair with, is killed in a hit-and-run accident. George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband, becomes obsessed with finding out who killed his wife and eventually learns that it was Gatsby. In a fit of rage, he kills Gatsby before taking his own life.
The movie ends with Nick Carraway looking back on the events that transpired that summer. He realizes that everyone involved in the story is flawed and that their actions have consequences.
Review
The Great Gatsby is a visually stunning movie with an incredible cast and a timeless story. Baz Luhrmann’s directing style brings the era to life, from the elaborate parties to the fashion and music. The movie’s soundtrack, which includes a mix of modern and period music, adds to the overall mood and atmosphere of the film.
DiCaprio’s portrayal of Gatsby is believable and moving. He captures the essence of the character’s loneliness and obsession with Daisy. Mulligan’s performance as Daisy is also exceptional, as she portrays the character’s conflicted emotions with ease.
The supporting cast, which includes Maguire, Edgerton, and Debicki, also deliver strong performances. Maguire’s portrayal of Nick Carraway as a sympathetic and observant narrator is spot-on. Edgerton’s portrayal of Tom Buchanan is appropriately menacing and cruel. Debicki’s portrayal of Jordan Baker, a friend of Daisy’s, is understated but effective.
The movie’s only flaw is its pacing. At times, the story feels slow and meandering, and it’s easy to lose track of what’s going on. However, this is a small complaint in an otherwise excellent film.
Characters & Performance
The Great Gatsby features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personality and motivations.
DiCaprio’s performance as Jay Gatsby is a standout. He captures the character’s charm, sadness, and obsession with Daisy perfectly. Mulligan’s portrayal of Daisy is also impressive, as she balances the character’s emotions and desires with grace. Maguire’s portrayal of Nick Carraway is spot-on, as he brings the character’s observant nature to life.
Edgerton’s performance as Tom Buchanan is appropriately menacing and cruel. Debicki’s portrayal of Jordan Baker is understated but effective.
Effects
The Great Gatsby features stunning visual effects that bring the era to life. From the elaborate parties to the fashion and music, the movie captures the essence of the 1920s perfectly. The use of computer-generated imagery to create the setting and atmosphere of the film is seamless and believable.
Soundtrack
The Great Gatsby’s soundtrack is a mix of modern and period music that adds to the movie’s overall mood and atmosphere. The soundtrack includes songs by Jay-Z, Lana Del Rey, and Florence + The Machine, among others. The music helps transport the audience to the era and highlights the contrast between the old and new.
Cinematography
The cinematography in The Great Gatsby is breathtaking. The movie is shot in a way that brings the setting to life, from the grand estates to the crowded streets of New York City. The use of color and light adds to the overall mood and atmosphere of the film.
Directing
Baz Luhrmann’s directing style is evident in The Great Gatsby. His grandiose approach is on full display, from the elaborate parties to the sweeping landscapes. Luhrmann’s flair for the dramatic adds to the movie’s overall feel and helps bring the era to life.
Popular Streaming Platforms
The Great Gatsby is available to stream on a variety of platforms, including Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max.
How to
To stream The Great Gatsby, simply sign up for a subscription to one of the platforms listed above. Once you have a subscription, you can stream the movie on any compatible device, including your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Rental and Purchase Options
The Great Gatsby is available to rent or purchase on several platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Vudu.
Pricing and Available Formats
The rental price for The Great Gatsby varies depending on the platform and format. It typically costs between $2.99 and $4.99 to rent the movie, depending on the quality and platform.
The purchase price for The Great Gatsby also varies depending on the platform and format. It typically costs between $9.99 and $14.99 to purchase the movie, depending on the quality and platform.
The movie is available in several formats, including standard-definition (SD), high-definition (HD), and 4K Ultra-HD.
Free Streaming Options
There are several ways to watch The Great Gatsby for free. Some platforms offer a limited-time free trial, which allows you to stream the movie for free for a set period. You can also check to see if your local library has a copy of the movie available for loan.
Torrenting and Piracy Warning
Torrenting or downloading pirated copies of movies is illegal and can result in fines, legal action, and damage to your computer. Always use a reputable platform to watch or download movies.
VPNs for Geo-Restrictions
If the movie is not available in your region, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to access it. A VPN allows you to bypass geo-restrictions by connecting to a different server in a different country.
What to say…
The Great Gatsby is a must-see movie for fans of classic literature, romance, and drama. It is a timeless story that explores the human condition and the dangers of excess, greed, and ambition. The movie features stunning visuals, impressive performances, and an incredible soundtrack.
If you haven’t seen The Great Gatsby yet, make sure to check it out on one of the streaming platforms listed above. You won’t be disappointed.
