"The Great Gatsby" - Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

For those of you who have not yet seen writer/director Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby and plan to watch the film in theaters, make sure you choose a location that serves alcohol. That way, you can play the drinking game every time Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) says "Old Sport." Just be warned that you may be drunk sooner rather than later. The annoying "Old Sport" is just one problem with the latest adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's acclaimed 1925 novel. For instance, the pacing, particularly at the beginning, is extremely slow and, as a result, the titular character is not seen/revealed for some time. Another potential problem lies in the screenplay which actually appears to capture the time period very well, but the interactions between the characters actually made some younger moviegoers laugh repeatedly throughout the film. Perhaps they were expecting a modern retelling of the story.

The Great Gatsby centers around Jay Gatsby, but is told from the perspective of his friend, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), who regales his doctor with a larger than life tale that is told in flashbacks. Evidently, Nick has had difficulty dealing with the drama associated with Gatsby and is currently staying at a sanatorium and being treated for alcoholism and depression. Nick also serves as narrator as he brings Gatsby's story to life, which includes a passionate romance with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). After befriending Nick, Gatsby asks him to arrange a meeting with Daisy, so that he may try to rekindle their passionate, but short, time together before they went their separate ways. Their reunion is a pleasant, if awkward, one, but Gatsby has hope for a reconciliation, even though Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton), who happens to be having an affair of his own. Daisy and Gatsby begin to see each other on a regular basis, which causes problems in her marriage. However, Gatsby is determined to have Daisy, but their path is littered with emotional baggage and, eventually, a life changing event that reveals Gatsby's true character.

Baz Luhrmann has crafted a visually stunning effort that gets everything right from a technical perspective. The costume design, visual effects and soundtrack are particularly impressive. The performances are also quite good, especially DiCaprio and Mulligan, as the tortured would be lovers, Jay and Daisy. While it takes some time for The Great Gatsby to hit its stride, watching the evolution of Jay Gatsby is fascinating. He is a multi-dimensional character who appears friendly, down to earth and polite, but something volatile is simmering just beneath the surface. Throughout the film, Gatsby's temper is seen in short outbursts that are mainly brought about because of his love for Daisy. The other driving force is his past, which was tumultuous and painful, but he was able to overcome it and build a successful life filled with many luxuries, Of course, that turns out to be a double edged sword for the young man, who learns that he may not always get what he desires, not matter how wealthy and connected he has become.