The Great Gatsby (2013), PG-13, 3 stars

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.

Baz Luhrmann takes the effort to adapt his own version of the masterful novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is courageous because there are some details that can be revolved and be certified as both a work of art of the author and the director. It is like a co-production. Although, it is an ambitious effort from Luhrmann, he takes his vision a little too far in certain scenes. But, nevertheless, the film is quite an entertainment anchored by a remarkable performance.

Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) has moved to New York in the midst of the Roaring Twenties in 1922 to work as a bond salesman. He rents a small cottage next to a lavish mansion which is occupied by a mysterious neighbor named Jay Gatsby, a mysterious and aloof businessman who throws parties. Nick goes to East Bay to have dinner with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), and her husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton), an old buddy from college. He also meets Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), a cynical young lady, whom Daisy wants to set Nick up as a first date.

They all discuss about their affairs and Gatsby. But, in the middle of their dinner, Tom gets a phone call from a certain someone. It reveals that he is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson (Isla Fisher), George's wife. George (Jason Clarke) and Myrtle live above a garage that he works at and Myrtle throws a little party with Nick and Tom. Nick gets drunk and is a bit wild.

Later, Nick receives an invitation from Gatsby. He is the only person who is properly invited to the introverted person's house and all of the gatherers are just dropping by to celebrate. Come on, it was the 1920s! As Nick is hearing all these rumors about Gatsby, a person is amongst the crowd and introduces himself. It is Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) himself with a background of colorful fireworks and raising a glass of champagne in his hand.

Nick is curious as to why Gatsby is throwing these parties. Jordan reveals that Gatsby and Daisy were once in love and Jay wants to reconnect with her and become closer to her. As Nick finds out, he is not that curious anymore and wants to help him. Nick sets Gatsby and Daisy up in his own fully decorated cottage and reunite again in a stunning and subtly romantic scene. They are both nervous and giddy as they both still care for each other as they communicate. But, what will Tom Buchanan think about this?

DiCaprio, Maguire, Mulligan and Edgerton having a good time. I think.

This is a very interesting adaptation. I abhorred the version in the 1970s where Robert Reford was Gatsby and the look of the film was so tame and sensitive. It did not demonstrate the Jazz Age and Roaring Twenties properly and the romance between Gatsby and Daisy was stale. In this one, however, the parties are elegant and awesome. The production design is quite extraordinary in some scenes, but a little over the top, in a few areas, such as, Gatsby's house from the outside.

Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a solid performance as a title character and possibly the best Gatsby performance. He delivers a range of emotion unlike any actor that is unique. He demonstrates and shows us his vulnerability into how his life was started and why he wanted to reunite with Daisy and why he throws his parties. Carey Mulligan is delightful as Daisy and has some chemistry with DiCaprio. Tobey Maguire, however, is kind of awkward and stale as Nick and shows very little excitement in his character. He looks more aloof than Gatsby himself. Edgerton and Fisher are fine. Elizabeth Debicki and Amitabh Bachchan as a businessman in one scene are quite entertaining in their roles.

As for the organization and tone of the movie, Luhrmann takes his bold interpretation and placing modern music in certain scenes. Some scenes do not work with the modern music, but some do work such as the scene with Gatsby showing Daisy the house with Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" playing. I felt that Nick's narration with typing up his story and showing his words on screen was distracting. On the other hand, I enjoyed this movie because it kept me interested in both the performance from Leonardo DiCaprio and the pacing of the story. As far as adaptations go, this is the first good version of Gatsby so far. It shows us what Gatsby as a person is like with a heart and with charisma seeing that green light.

***