The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 5/9/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Quite a few of my friends and family beat me to see this. Rare I admit, but it did happen. Reports streaming in - they all didn't like it. Aaron and Danelle didn't stay through the whole thing, but they stayed for The Devil Inside. I don't understand it. I am afraid we have a difference of opinion on this one. Gary and I really liked Gatsby. A lot! This cinematic splendor plays out like a musical on screen that doesn't have any singing. I realize that some are not going to like this at all. Leonardo DiCaprio plays J. Gatsby sensationally and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway was a charming surprise. The story really follows the book, maybe even a little too close. If you are interested in the pure story captured, then you won't be disappointed in how the story plays out.

Nick Carraway is narrating the recollection of his experience with the mysterious J. Gatsby. They are neighbors on Long Island, NY, Gatsby in a beautiful estate and Nick in a tiny rented cottage next door. No one is quite sure on how peculiar and almost recluse Gatsby has come in to all this money to sustain his lifestyle. The parties, oh the parties! Every weekend all summer long everyone in NYC heads to the estate in fictional West Egg of the aloof and disinterested Gatsby. Nick's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) is at the center of Gatsby's real attention and most obvious, his affection.

The problem is she is in a souring marriage to a very "old" money heir, philandering but dominating Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Tom and Gatsby both use Nick to get what they want. Tom's married strumpet mistress Myrtle (Isla Fisher) brings all their tangled lives to a disastrous head. For those that don't know the story, don't be surprised by the realization that all four in the love "square" are not going to come out intact. Be warned; this flick is long like most of late, but still a captivating 1920s love story set to modern music. There is a flamboyancy about The Great Gatsby that will draw in fans of this eccentric movie. It may not be the blockbuster Hollywood hoped for, but that's okay by me.

QUIET Rating system: 4 Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJj

Time:  JJj