The Great Gatsby

Happy Wednesday everyone! A few nights ago, I saw The Great Gatsby with my brother. I was very anxious to see the film because it is always tricky when movies are based on books. Despite my hesitation, I was pleasantly surprised.

For anyone who does not know, the movie is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. The book is wildly popular and is considered to be one of the greatest American novels of all time. Because the book is so well known, and I read it for a second time earlier this year, I was afraid the movie was going to ruin the book.

Yes, Leo. Yes.

The movie was pretty good overall, proving to be better than I anticipated, but not as good as I hoped. The costumes and set were spectacular, and the first party scene at Gatsby's house was an intense explosion of color and excitement. The film's soundtrack included modern songs and covers by Jay Z, Beyoncé, and Florence Welch. There were parts in the movie where the modern soundtrack went really well, but there were moments where the up-to-date music contrasted the 1920s feel a bit too much. The movie was also incredibly long, and sometimes focused too much on the set and atmosphere, rather than the story.

Leonardo DiCaprio was a perfect Gatsby, and Joel Edgerton was the Tom Buchanan I pictured when reading the book. Carey Mulligan did a good job as Daisy as well, and after seeing the film, I fully came to realize how much of a B Daisy Buchanan really is. Another plus of the film is that it followed the book very well and used many direct quotes, which I was really excited to recognize. But most importantly, Leonardo DiCaprio wears a pink suit and looks crazy good doing it.

 I would definitely recommend seeing The Great Gatsby, especially if you've read the book. It had a slight modern twist, but still maintained the 1920s feel, and followed the novel very well.

Have a great rest of the week, and thanks for reading :)