El Gran Gatsby [Blu-ray] [Spain Import]

Judging this movie was difficult, and having read the book in Mr.CMs class made it even more hard. To come clean, I have to say the characters were portrayed in a very *unpleasing* manner. Toby Stephen played a ridiculous Gatsby that made me almost want to quit watching. His old sport routine did only get older and repetive, amd his smirky smile made him seem so fake. He expressed emotions towards Daisey, but not in a very convincing way. To me, as others, I could feel no sympathy for him because he couldnt convince me that he really loved Daisey. Speaking of Daisey, she dissapointed me as well. She didnt come off to me as a snobby and self-centered person as I would like to imagine. As for Nick, Paul Rudd did a great job acting as the narrator and the main character, so I could easily feel sympathy for him. As for the rest of the movie, it seemed to have had a low budget and couldnt express the true *wealth* of the movie as much as I would have liked it to. All in all, this movie would be worth watching nothing more as a time waster, and it would only make you confused with all the plot holes. Reading the book is a much better idea and would help all understand what The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald is really trying to get at.

I found this adaptation slow moving and, at times, disappointing. I suggest the Redford film and/or the current film with Leo.

good solid interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel, this version evokes many of the novels themes, but misses the mark on the main theme: the rich are different than the rest of us. The rich are not bound by the morals and ethics of the rest of us. The rich can hurt, damage and kill and walk away as if nothing happened and the rich can go on and live their vacuous lives in the present because, for them there is no unpleasant past or future.

Excellent

+++++ This movie is based on the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 to 1940). The novel that takes place during the Jazz Age (period of the early 1920s) is basically about a poor man named Jay Gatsby who seemingly through The American Dream becomes rich. But the rich Gatsby still wants to obtain another dream: to be reunited with the love of his life (Daisy) who is now married. It is this second dream that proves to be Gatsbys ultimate downfall. The novel has many subtle themes that run through it (thats why its considered a classic). This movie that features Mira Sorvino as Daisy and Toby Stephens as Gatsby is basically faithful to the above summary (and actually takes lines from the novel itself) but unfortunately because it is rushed (I mean rushed in the sense of telling a complete story; the movie itself is actually slow-moving) the viewer never has time to appreciate the storys finer subtleties. The movie starts out fine but as it proceeds, it does not spend enough time on key story elements. For example, Gatsby is not presented as a somewhat mysterious person but we simply see him as poor one moment and then suddenly rich. Daisys character is not well developed at all. In fact, one key and important scene that reveals Daisys true character is omitted altogether. Thus, those who have not read the novel may be somewhat confused especially during the movies second half and if they are not confused, then they will probably not understand why the novel on which this movie is based is considered a classic. The costumes, scenery, and cinematography in this movie are fantastic. Finally, the DVD (the one released in 2001) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has one superb extra: an A&E biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald. In conclusion, this movie, unfortunately, is a rushed adaptation of a classic American novel. (2000; 100 min; wide screen; made for T.V. (A&E); 12 scenes) +++++

Liked the book. Enjoyed the 1974 version with Robert Redford and even liked the Alan Ladd version. But just couldnt enjoy this version of F. Scott Fitzgeralds story. I felt that Paul Rudd did a good job as Nick Carraway. Toby Stephens, on the other hand, did not come off charming and like able. When he smiled it felt more insincere than comfortable and when he delivered the catch phrase old sport it sounded unlikeable, with a bite, more like a insult. Mira Sorvinos Daisy came off so innocent and pure it didnt fit well. The storyline- for those unfamiliar with it - has a handsome rich bootlegger and forger moving into a huge mansion directly across the bay from Daisy Buchanans home in the affluent section of West Egg, Long Island in 1922. 5 years earlier, prior to her marriage to Tom Buchanan and during the Great War, the two had been in love. Now he hoped to win her back. Using his new next door neighbor, Nick Carraway a second cousin to Daisy, he hopes to be officially introduced again to her. He had been poor before and now he is extremely rich and hopes to use that to induce Daisy back. This is a slow developing drama so you need to know that up front. This is a nice way to spend time, especially to compare the different versions of the film if you have seen one of the others. Worth a watch. Everyone has different feelings of each version available.

Added to Gatsby collection.

The Great Gatsby, is a wonderful and exciting book, which is held close to many readers hearts. The Great Gatsby the movie, on the other hand was clearly a made for TV, late night special. Nick the main character is portrayed in the book as a simple, clear headed, individual with a sense of innocence. The movie does accomplish finding a actor to suit Nick as a character. Paul Rudd does an excellenct portraying my image of Nick. His facial twitches seem to work well for his character; these oddly resemble the ones MR. M expresses with frustration in class. His acting talent is able to set the tone that you could tell was meant while Fitzgerald was writing the book. Daisy, played by Miamira Sorvino was quite disappointing. The director seemed to change Daisys character to make her more charming, and sweet but in the book I found her to be quite shallow, and careless. The movies accuracy was pretty good compared to the book. But many symbolic aspects were left out such as the car accident with Owl eyes, and when daisy starts crying when she sees Gatsbys shirts. These are important factors in the whole symbolic storyline Fitzgerald sets up. Most characters fit their roles well such as Nick and Gatsby, But Daisy on the other hand lacked the acting skills needed to do a good job. The set that the movie had was magnificent, located in New Port, Rhode Island, but the movie greatly lacked the cinematography that is crucial in making a good film. You can tell that the budget was quite low for the movie since it did nothing all to extravagant. All and all the movie was ok for a made for TV special, but I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed since I enjoyed the book so much.

Toby Stephens portrays Gatsby beautifully in his own unique style - such an amazing actor. For Gatsby fans, this is a must see movie!

This is a fascinating example of how a movie adaptation can be almost excessively faithful to a book -- transcribing dialogue line for line, including voice-over narration -- and still get the details and nuances almost entirely wrong. The diversity of the novels social world has been completely flattened out: everybody talks the same, regardless of whether theyre from Kentucky, Minneapolis, Chicago, or Queens. Daisys voice is flat and whiny, with no enticing lilt and sparkle. The costumes are frumpy, especially Daisys -- Mira Sorvino has been beautiful and sexy in other roles, but in this one she looks like a gawky teenager wearing shapeless cotton dresses and giant unflattering hats. (In the flashbacks, she looks like Rachel on Friends!) The relative ages are all messed up... Tom (30) is supposed to be significantly older than Daisy (23), and Toms mistress Myrtle is supposed to be significantly older than he is (in her mid-30s). One thing that bothered me is that the film softened Toms character significantly. Admittedly, Martin Donovan is a great actor who probably couldnt help making his character sympathetic and nuanced. But the whole plot turns on Tom being an alpha male, physically domineering and harsh - competitive and contemptuous with men, and instinctively controlling with women. Donovan gets the contempt, but hes too slim and articulate, and he lacks hulking brute sex appeal, and hes much too affectionate/respectful with women. I couldnt believe he APOLOGIZED to Myrtle after bloodying her nose -- in the book he deliberately BREAKS her nose (with one blow of his hand) as a punishment for talking back, and then ignores her wails of pain and everyone else freaking out. Its a grim scene and should show his callousness and controlling nature. Instead the movie makes it a twisted love scene, with him striking out, then apologizing, saying he didnt mean it and kissing her. Absurd. The movie also makes a misguided attempt to turn Daisy - shallow, careless, reckless, life-wrecking Daisy - into a sympathetic heroine. It sets up a parallel between Gatsbys 5-year longing and Daisys... makes it look like she has been missing him and pining for him all through her marriage. But in the book, unhappiness has made her sophisticated and cynical, not wistful and mopey. The movie tries to give her a heart and a soul, which turns the whole story into a goopy star-crossed lovers Lifetime romance instead of the much darker and more ironic fable in the book.