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

+++++ 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) +++++

I found this version, on my first time seeing it, quite good. The acting amused me and the story was both interesting and well planned. Then, I read the book. I found the movie, after a second time seeing it, a horribale adaption to F. Scotts masterpeice and will never live up to the book. The acting is apauling. Although Mira Sorvino is a wonderful actress ( as can be seen in such films as Mighty Aphrodite) she can not be seen as her best in this adaption. Her lack of entusiasim pulls the production down, and it lacks the excentricy and entusiastic energy that the charector of Daisy requires. The part of Tom is also horribally acted by what ever his name is, an unknown. You would think casting could find a better brute. Both these charetors are met to the top in every charectoristc that the parts require, Daisy and Tom in the 1974 version by Mia Farrow, which is a much better adaption. Perhaps it did have more mouney and big Hollywood producers, but it does not take mouney to make a good movie. Some good things (which were very few) I found were the parts of Jordan aand Nick. Nick was wonderfully well acted by a young actor who is making a good name for himself. Jordan, at sometimes,also had her lows, but her highs, if youre comparing the Jordan in the 1974 version. And last but not least, in this review, is the oh so crucial part of Jay Gatzby, which was played in the most of cornieness you could possibly find, and if youre comparing him with Robert Redfords betrayel he shouldnt even be noticed. In conclusion this shallow and boring adaption is not worth wasting mouney, or late fees.

I bought this to show in my 11th grade English classes. Reading Gatsby can be rough on some students & its good to have a visual to set the scene. With the upcoming Baz Lehrman Gatsby coming out soon, I have a lot of students that are interested in reading the book, but have little idea of most of the nuance. Showing this movie, or parts of it, was a lifesaver. I loved many of the choices in casting and direction. The script is true to the story and little is missing. Good if you like Gatsby, great if you teach and need a visual.... totally appropriate for the classroom.

The latest Hollywood installment of Fitzgeralds masterpiece The Great Gatsby deserves split praise as far as the book/movie relationship goes. While stellar performances were given by Sorvino as the troubled Daisy and Rudd as the inquisitive Nick, I dont feel the third member of the films driving trifecta, (Stephens as the title role) did the part of Gatsby justice. Visually, Stephens fit the part with the smirk and everything, but his full portrayal came off as if he were an over-confident rich kid at some highschool. Not to say that what he went for didnt work, he just never found the ability to summon up Gatsby, and put Gatsby on screen. I dont think that Rudd played Gatsby with enough refinement. Now, having read the book, this kind of distracts me throughout the film, so Im sure that those of you that havent read the Great Gatsby would probably like the film more than I did. In the end I thought the rest of the charachters were well-cast and I give the movie bonus points for costumes and setting.

This completes my collection on all the The Great Gatsby movies made.

True to the story in the book, but the acting leaves a lot to be desired.

This film, script-wise, is almost a word-for-word re-make of the Robert Redford/Mia Farrow version. That is to say, it is faithful to the book, excepting the omission of the back story of Gatsbys time with his mentor: yachtsman Dan Cody. I would say both films are equally good. Of course the scenery and technical aspects are different. Another notable difference is the choice of Fitzgeralds words in the voice-over at the very end. In the Redford film it is a simpler and more poignant and impactful statement.

very Happy

The Great Gatsby is about a man named Jay Gatsby who chases his past love Daisy. Gatsby lives in West Egg on Long Island and Daisy lives in West Egg across the bay from East Egg. Nick Carroway also lives in West Egg and he is the one telling the story. Nick gets Daisy and Gatsby to meet at his house and they renew the love that they once had five years ago. Tom, who is having an affair with a working class women and wife of George Wilson, Myrtle, finds out about Gatsby and Daisy. One day they all take a trip to New York and Gatsby and Tom get into an argument about Daisy. They all leave but Gatsby and Daisy go ahead. Tom comes back to find that Myrtle was hit by Gatsbys car and she was killed. Daisy ends up staying with Tom whereas George shoots Gatsby and kills himself. Daisys performance was intriguing and delicious. Why Tom would cheat on her, I dont know. Because she had convinced me she was such a good person and lover, I mean. Nick had a good performance too. He was a narrator and made it sound like he had in the book, or at least to me. He portrayed a good Nick in my mind. The movie was quite accurate to the book, of course it left some things out, but I accepted it. One thing I found weird was that Myrtle was not as attractive in the movie as I had been led to believe in the book. Also, Pammy, what the hell? I hope that girl who was playing wasnt getting paid? How the...? What the..? No! It was unrealistic that Daisy had a daughter of Pammys proportion. I must dwell on this point. What is this little girl doing with an afro on her head? That puzzles me for hours. I have sat down for an extended length of time trying to figure out the genetics behind Daisy and her offspring. I am no genetic scientist, but it doesnt make any sense. The movie had no big problems until Pammy walked on screen. My English class with Mr. M responded with a disgusted Ah! It was rather shocking. Other than this and other small differences between the book and movie, it was all good. The production was grand. One thing that bothered me was the inflatable cushion that Gatsby was sitting on in the pool. I thought it was too futuristic for the time. The soundtrack was rather lame considering the used the same song ten times. The camera angles were good though, not what I had pictured, but good. The costumes were excellent and depicted the 1920s very well. It was well produced for the most part.

The movie played out just like the book. Really the only difference was how they began with showing Gatsby getting killed, which I thought was good. Nicks character was played perfectly, it could not have been done beteter. His role was played perfectly, healways seemed a little bit confused. Gatsby wasnt all that well played, but it was good enough. It would be hard to find someone that could pull off all of Gatsbys subeltys. The movie was very acurate to the book. The production was great, costumes were very accurate to both book and time period.