The Great Gatsby Review

Baz Lurhmann has done it again! The director and genius behind Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge! has created yet another masterpiece in the form of a remake of The Great Gatsby, the famous novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald.

When directors decide to make a remake of a film that’s already been done or decide to turn a book into a film, there’s always that worry of competition and how true they will stay to the book.

Never fear,Baz still manages to stay as true to the book as possible, putting Fitzgerald’s famous text in a way only Lurhmann can, by putting it in a new and modern time with the use of an upbeat and modern soundtrack, featuring the likes of Jay Z and Lana Del Ray, yet still managing to focus on the story.

The Great Gatsby follows Yale graduate and World War 1 veteran, Nick Carraway who moves to New York from U.S Midwest and rents a small house on Long Island next door to the millionaire who is Jay Gatsby. Nick soon gets caught up in world of lavish parties but the more time he spends with him, the more he finds out the truth of who Gatsby is.

Most directors stick to the same format when making a film, using the same production team, cast etc. Baz is no different. He sticks to what he knows every single time, but it every single time it just works. There’s something about his films that are so alike, yet so different at the same time.

This time Baz is reunited yet again with his friend and collaborator Craig Pearce along with Baz`s wife, production designer Catherine Martin and Romeo and Juliet star Leonardo Dicaprio who takes on the lead as Jay Gatsby.

Completing the all star cast are Tobey McGuire as Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton as Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Elizabeth Debicki stars as Jordan Baker, whilst Isla Fisher and Jason Clarke star as Myrtle and George B Wilson.

In every aspect of Lurhmann films, there seems to be aspects of another. The Great Gatsby may be set in a different era but still manages to have the same effect as Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet.

With an all star casting, beautiful costumes, colourful set and scenery and upbeat music Baz certainly doesn’t disappoint in his adaption of one of the most famous books of all time.

The summer blockbuster simply everyone must see.

★★★★★

Emily Pontin

Rating: 12A
UK Release Date: 16th May 2013
Cast: Leonardo Dicaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey McGuire, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Debicki, Joel Edgerton and Jason Clarke.
Directed by: Baz Lurhmann