PREVIEW - The Great Gatsby (12A)

We welcome back to the screens one of films most visual directors and writers Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge and Australia) for the first time in five years with his highly anticipated release F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby.

Know worldwide as a 'classic' novel, The great Gatsby has been subject to many a novel to film transition lastly in 1974 with Robert Redford playing the lead.
Luhrmann has given the film a much needed update since then with a great cast, art direction and a stunning soundtrack to match. This really is a film of cinematic beauty.

The lead role of Gatsby is played by the highly sought after Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception and Shutter Island) who's many mannerisms can be recognised from his performance in Django Unchained.
Joining DiCaprio is a great army of talent from around the world. The stunning and talented British actress Carey Mulligan is joined by Toby Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Isla Fisher to name a few.
The rest of the large cast includes some stunning performances from some actors many won't have heard of but on these performances there's definitely more to come from them.

The classic story of The Great Gatsby takes place in 1922 New York, it's a very glitzy and glamorous affair with those who can afford that lifestyle. Someone who can is Jay Gatsby (DiCapro) a millionaire bootlegger who lives in an eccentric modern mansion in West Egg a township outside of Manhattan. Across the bay in East Egg are the grand houses owned by the rich of yesterday, the houses are grand but not on the scale of Gatsby's.
Within the houses of East Egg is a character of brutality and drive Tom Buchanan (Edgerton) husband of Daisy (Mulligan), of whom was taken from the penniless Gatsby by Buchanan in the First World War.

As Gatsby seeks revenge for that day will his riches and the glitz and glamour that goes with it draw Daisy back into his arms?

To guide us through the film is the character of Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate, second cousin to Daisy who owns a cottage next to Gatsby. Carraways voice-over is given through an explanation of the events we see to his psychiatrist.

The Great Gatsby is a great watch with stunning visuals and sterling performances.

*Soundtracks will sell, DiCaprio will be on bedroom walls again and new readers may discover the book*

Jane Crowther

*Luhrmann demonstrates an ability with actors that he hasn’t shown in the past*

David Denby

Have a look at the trailer for The Great Gatsby below;

The Great Gatsby is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Monday 8th July at 7.45pm, Tuesday 9th July at 7.45pm, Wednesday 10th July at 2pm and 7.45pm and Thursday 11th July at 7.45pm.