‘The Great Gatsby’ Was Worth the Wait

The American literary classic, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, got a Hollywood makeover beautifully shot by legendary film producer, Baz Luhrmann. The plot is centered around a popular man, Gatsby, whose wealth and history are unknown to those who attend his outrageous parties on Long Island. Since meeting his love interest, Daisy, five years previously, everything he does is to win her back from her husband, Tom Buchanan, who is from ‘old money’ and skeptical about Gatsby’s place in their lives. The story is told from the perspective of Daisy’s cousin, Nick Carraway, who narrates the story from a psychiatric institution after things go very awry.

The film premiered yesterday at The Junction, courtesy of Ciroc Vodka, Destination Magazine and Century Cinemax. Nairobi’s socialites, business people and media personalities attended the event and prizes including a weekend trip for two at Fairmont, Mount Kenya and vodka classes and other such film paraphernalia from the film were won.

The two-and-a-half hour film had the pomp, glamour and witty lines that can be expected from a Luhrmann production. It succeeded beautifully in portraying 1920s high society life in New York. The costumes are sophisticated and beautifully crafted and the cast did not disappoint, especially Leonardo Di Caprio and Toby Maguire who play Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway respectively. Their powerful and often comical on-screen chemistry definitely added life to the story. However, the film didn’t have to last for two and a half hours as there were points it dragged on. The film’s soundtrack too isn’t as prominent as Luhrmann’s past works which is slightly disappointing.

In short, go see the film when you are well rested and if you appreciate literary classics centered on scandal, love and drama.

The film opens this Friday at The Junction Century Cinemax. For more information, call +254 700 326 726, +254 739 173 643 or visit http://www.thejunction.co.ke

By Josephine Opar