Alysha Vazquez Mr.

Newman Rhetoric: English 101 10 October 2013 The Gatsby From the electrifying music and flashy cars to the concealed businesses and captivating romance the film The Great Gatsby draws a highly anticipated audience. The film emerges from F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby which is commended for its illustration of all the thrills of the 1920s through a profound affair of love and social wealth. The film is brought to 3D via the fascinating style of director Baz Luhrmann who is regarded for his previous motion pictures, including the disastrous deep romantic tales of Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. Luhrmann reconnects with acting star, Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Jay Gatsby and introduces Toby Maguire as Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby and Daisy share a complicated past romance which is uncovered by Nicks increasing fascination with Gatsby. The dazzling self-made lifestyle of Gatsby is revealed to be all for a purpose. Tom Charity and Richard Corliss both reveal more similarities than differences in their reviews of Baz Luhrmanns The Great Gatsby. Although Charity and Corliss differ on Lurhmanns success as a director, both find common ground when it comes to praise of the actors and the conclusion that The Great Gatsby did not live up to its title. Charitys review of The Great Gatsby begins with criticism of Luhrmanns success as a director. He expresses that watching Baz Luhrmanns movies are like watching a three-ring circus. Moreover, he suggests that Luhrmanns interpretation of the film is visually overwhelming. He fails to evaluate the film itself, rather Charity comments on Luhrmanns

decisions as the films director. Charity implies that Luhrmanns style is passionately artificial. On the other hand, Corliss recognizes Luhrmanns rare style. In fact, Corliss refers Luhrmanns abilities as the famous Luhrmann flair. Corliss understands Luhrmanns visual of the film. The scenes that Charity compares to a circus, Corliss writes that they are exotic strengths. The differences that both reviewers note about Lurhmanns, The Great Gatsby, reveal a great deal of their opinion about the film. Within their different opinions they expose a few evident similarities. Luhrmanns incredible cast of actors is one of the greater aspects that help develop the film. Both Charity and Corliss praise Luhrmanns choice of actors. The Great Gatsby stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the marvelous Jay Gatsby. DiCaprio also played the star role in Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet. Charity describes Luhrmanns choice of actors as brilliant. Corliss agrees by expressing that the actors are all wise choices. Both reviewers imply that the actors exempt star quality (Corliss). Another great choice was Toby Maguires character Nick Carraway. Charity and Corliss admire the actors success. Corliss expresses that Maguires otherworldly coolness suits the observer. Charity supports that Maguire does well in distilling the finer sentiments from this tale of the super-rich through his character. This leaves the new found star and Gatsbys love, Daisy Buchanan played by Carey Mulligan. Mulligan does well in capturing the sadness of the character (Charity). She exceeds in portraying Daisys magnetism and weakness (Corliss). Both reviewers give Luhrmann his due when it comes to the tremendous actors that make up the film. The film cast is not the only thing the reviewers revealed to have similar opinions on. They both question the success in the films interpretation of the novel.

Baz Luhrmanns adaptation of F Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby the worthiest yet, but not a truly successful portrayal of the inspiring novel. Charity believes this more strongly than Corliss, but both reviewers feel that the film did not live up to the novels expectations. Corliss explains it best when he writes Fitzgeralds book has an enduring excellence, a hold on readers of every generation, that no movie version has yet been able to match. Charity also believes that the novels deception of a society dancing on the edge is so timely. He expresses his disappointment and shame when he implies that he is angry at the waste. Charity and Corliss agree that the film did not live up to its name Corliss sums both opinions up when he writes It deserves to be called The Gatsby. Just not great. Although Luhrmann made an attempt to recreate F Scott Fitzgerald novel, the film did no successfully shine as much as the book does. The fast cars, wild parties and high society were all clearly represented in Baz Luhrmanns film The Great Gatsby. Inspite of Luhrmanns attempts both reviewers reveal that it was not as astounding as Fitzgeralds novel. The novel expresses a unique and undying view of high society and the film was just not able to capture that undying essence.

Works Cited Charity, Tom. "Luhrmann's 'Gatsby'? It's a shame." CNN Entertainment. CNN, 12 May 2013.Web. 7 Oct. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/10/showbiz/movies/great-gatsbyreview-tom-charity/index.html?iref=allsearch>. Corliss, Richard. "Luhrman's The Great Gatsby; From Jazz Age to Baz Age."TIME Magazine 9 May2013:n.pag.TIMEEntertainment.Web.7Oct.2013.<http://entertainment.time.com/2013/05 /0/luhrmanns-the-great-gatsby-from-jazz-age-to-baz-age/>.