Gatsby

Baz Luhrmann, 2013

BIG STATEMENT ALERT: Possibly.. just possibly my favourite film of 2013. After waiting what seemed like decades for this film to release I headed to the cinema, sweets in hand and eager with excitement to see the latest film from one of my favourite directors, Baz Luhrmann.

Sometimes when I see a film advertised that is full of promise I am naturally dubious, with such a star-studded cast I did wonder whether I could accept Toby Maguire as anything other than Spiderman and how Jay-Z would contribute to the soundtrack of Luhrmanns 1920s feast.

What I can say is this film is dripping in Luhrmann - glitz, glamour, sin and sorrow. The casting is superb and Leonardo DiCaprio fits perfectly into the role of Gatsby, a far cry from his early role as Romeo in another Luhrmann great. You will not get the words "Old sport" out of your head for a good few days after seeing this film. Daisy Buchanan has often been critiqued in the literary world as being a character with not much depth and a bit well, boring. Carey Mulligan brings an ethereal beauty to the role and as much as you want to envy Daisy's life you pity her and wish the world for her. Toby Maguire's Nick Carraway is delightfully quaint. His innocence shines through in confused close ups and his twee straw hat and three piece suit set him apart from his rich and glamorous neighbour of West Egg.

This film does not disappoint the eye, it is full of colour movement and sparkle. The palette is so rich, teals, cerise, blacks, golds and New York city comes alive in the wonderful 'yellow window' scene. This is also key to the film as it hooks you in by repeating the theme of being without and within. You are made to feel vouyeristic at times, guarding secrets for characters, and then dragged into the action by Gatsby's charm and his rip-roaring parties.

As for the soundtrack - delectable. Hats off to Baz et al for their choices, whether reusing modern songs or introducing new tunes each serves a purpose and sets a scene. Lana del Ray haunts the bleary eyed twenties after party and puts lyrics to Daisy Buchanan's woes. A personal favourite is Jack Whites "Love is blindness" which starts to accumulate the tension and anger and sin and explosive end to this fantastic film.

The film has it all; dance, booze, beauty, confusion, sin, secrets and Gatsby!

If you love Luhrmann you will love this, if you don't love Luhrmann I still think you could love this, and if you do not know Luhrmann - see this film... old sport.

***** / *****