cyrano | Coyote Cinema: The Great Gatsby (Reply)

The recurring theme here is, I suspect, exceeding and failing expectations. Perhaps at the same time.

Things to be noted:
This is not a Red Curtain film. However, it is a bit larger than life, and the party scenes did remind me of the fevered excitement of Moulin Rouge.
I read the book twenty years ago in college, and did not find it engaging. I plan to re-read it now, as people have suggested I might have a more appreciative perspective now.

I cannot remember who, but somebody said that the 3D was especially good for this film. I cannot agree. It was filmed in 3D but felt kind of cartoony. Unlike the RC trilogy, I did not leave this film with a burning need to get the soundtrack.

But I found this story far more engaging than the one I read twenty years ago. That story seemed to be largely about the gilded and affluent, the pretty vacant, desperately having fun or being awful to each other--not because they enjoyed it, but because that was what one did in East Egg. Sort of a between-the-wars Less Than Zero.

These characters had motives and you could see their souls inside, lost and confused and afraid to speak out, but still present. And I loved when, every once in a while, Nick--the one main character who isn't filthy rich--protesting that he can't spend all day being decadent and idle because he *has to work*. And the others frown in confusion, and peer at him as they try to understand what he's just said.

I don't know if DiCaprio was trying to convey 'working class schlub disguised as upper crust' or just excited to be at work today, but he felt awkward and uneven, particularly at times when he called somebody 'old sport'. But I forgive him for the over the top 'Gatsby as beloved local celebrity' moment when he gets introduced to the audience, complete with fireworks and Rhapsody in Blue.

I give it three wags--I was entertained and occasionally laughed, and that's got to count for something.