Film review: The Great Gatsby

Based on Scott Fitzgerald’s famed novel, The Great Gatsby is narrated in a flashback by Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a Yale graduate and WWI veteran, who writes the story in his therapist’s office many years later.

In the summer of 1922, Nick moves to New York City, hoping to make it big on Wall Street by selling bonds. His cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), lives nearby in the town of East Egg, with her rich, old money husband, Tom. They have a daughter and an unhappy marriage marred with Tom’s various affairs that Daisy is both aware of and hates. He also meets Jordan Baker, a famous golfer and Daisy’s friend.

As Nick gets drawn into their world, he becomes intrigued by his rich and seemingly famous neighbour, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). No one knows where Gatsby’s from or anything much about him, other than that he throws fabulous parties every weekend, and everyone is there.

Nick, who seems to be unaware of these parties, finally gets an invitation from Gatsby and attends. There, he becomes better acquainted with Jordan and meets Gatsby for the first time. The entrance of the titular character is spectacular, fireworks and all.

Gatsby starts to pursue a friendship with Nick, which baffles him. One day, Gatsby invites him to lunch with his business partner, Meyer Wolfshiem, and says he wants to ask a favour of Nick. Before he can do so, they are interrupted by Tom. Nick later finds out from Jordan that Gatsby had a past with Daisy and wanted Nick help set up a reunion. He invites Daisy to tea.

The scene of the afternoon tea is really one of the best comedic scenes of I’ve seen DiCaprio do. He plays Gatsby’s desperation, nervousness and excitement perfectly to the T. After an awkward start, Daisy and he reunite and set off on a sexual affair.

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