The Great Gatsby

Baz Luhrmann took a massive risk back in 2013 when he adapted an untouchable classic novel into a loud and glittery pop culture explosion. You watch Leonardo DiCaprio absolutely own the role of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, throwing massive parties just to win back his old love Daisy Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan. We also get Tobey Maguire as the awkward narrator Nick Carraway watching the drama unfold. I constantly tell people to watch this if they want to see pure visual excess. It drops you right into the chaotic wealth of New York during the jazz age. The script highlights how empty that endless pursuit of money really is underneath all the expensive champagne.

Cinematographer Simon Duggan makes everything look like an overwhelming fantasy. You immediately notice the hyper saturated colors and the dizzying camera swoops over the harbor. The glowing green light across the water looks practically radioactive. I do get a little annoyed when the camera speeds up artificially during the crazy party montages. Those rapid zooms make the grand ballroom feel a bit like a chaotic music video instead of a real cinematic moment. A slower approach might have worked better for the serious conversations. Still, the blinding golden sunlight hitting those expensive suits perfectly captures the fake perfection of these rich characters.

Pay attention to the massive sets and you will notice how fake everything feels on purpose. The interior of the Gatsby mansion is totally overwhelming because the massive spiral staircases and endless flowers look completely ridiculous for a single guy. A quick trip over to the modest cottage next door offers a funny contrast. That tiny living room looks like a cramped dollhouse compared to the giant castle. My main complaint involves the driving scenes through the valley of ashes. The digital background looks way too obvious and cartoonish for a supposedly gritty industrial dump. They cram all these beautiful people into perfectly manicured gardens anyway, which builds a great sense of tragic irony.

You really have to listen to the modern soundtrack to understand the vibe of this adaptation. My ears constantly catch the heavy bass of hip hop tracks blending directly into classic jazz trumpets. The director brought in Jay Z to produce the music, and that wild choice actually makes the historical parties feel fresh and dangerous. We hear loud fireworks and popping champagne corks constantly interrupting quiet romantic moments. The editing moves at a breakneck speed during the first half. It finally slows down when the tragedy actually strikes in a quiet hotel room. The sudden silence after a loud car crash really makes the terrible reality sink in.

Let us clear up some common mysteries about this flashy adaptation.

Did they really shoot the movie in New York? No, the production actually built almost all the massive mansions and city streets on soundstages in Sydney, Australia.

Are the costumes historically accurate? The designers teamed up with brands like Prada and Brooks Brothers to create clothes that feel inspired by the twenties but have a very modern and stylized twist.

Did Leonardo DiCaprio really cut his hand in this movie? People often confuse this film with Django Unchained, which is the movie where he actually injured his hand on a glass during a take.

The incredible acting and the beautiful costume design keep me coming back, but I cannot deny that the heavy use of green screen backgrounds distracts from the emotional core. Certain driving scenes look so fake that you almost lose your connection to the actual tragedy happening on screen.

Fans of modern puzzles will definitely love finding the hidden visual details in these wild party scenes. If you think you have the eye to spot the yellow car in our daily movie guessing game or just want a great framed alternative for your breaks, test your skills at Flickle. You can also play our popular movie wordle to prove your ultimate cinema knowledge.