Originally, I was going to write about
the power stance we did before we wrote the essay, but then I realized that I haven’t
watched the movie about The Great Gatsby.
I mean we aren’t watching it in class (*sad face*) and when Jenny told me she
was watching it, I was like hey this would be a nice thing to write about in my
blog (thanks Jenny J). I’m going to
do sort of like a commentary on this movie while watching it and type out all
my thoughts so here we go.
Nick’s house is pretty cute, not going
to lie, with it being hidden among to vegetation and trees. But compared to Tom’s
mansion, it’s honestly looks like a cardboard box. Tom’s mansion is so huge and
Tom himself definitely fits the book description. He shows off his trophies and
mentions the book about white supremacy. Watching the visual representation of
the book really makes me see how everything is so grand.
For example, now they are at Myrtle’s
apartment, and her little party is actually pretty wild. Clothes were being
taken off, wine bottles spraying everywhere, and everybody dancing.
The one
thing I noticed is that this modern is playing in the background with the bass
dropping. I find it that even thought this story takes place during the 1920s,
the feel of the movie, especially the parties, had a very modern feel. This
movie also used a lot of CCG effects, which kind ruined the authentic feeling
the book had. But it also made it funnier. When Tom slapped Myrtle, there was
this slow-mo effect and it made that scene perfect.
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| Haha |
Another example, Gatsby’s party. It’s so
crazy. While I was reading the book, I didn’t really think much of it, but
after watching the party scene, I’m really impressed with the size of the
party, the decoration, and the overall fabulous aura it gives off.
I almost think
of one of Gatsby’s party is similar to a modern day club. I internally squealed
when Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) showed up at said his line, “I’m Gatsby” *holds
up wine glass*. That, in my opinion, is one of the most important scene in the
movie.
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| Nick is just in awe right now. |
Yes. Now we are at the tea party scene
where Nick becomes a wonderful third-wheeler. I was excited to see Gatsby in
his awkward glory and the scene did not disappoint. I think they added a bit in
here. When Daisy comes in the door, Gatsby actually leaves through the back
door, through the rain, and shows up on the front door all wet.
During the
scene where he knocks down the clock, I was just cringing when he tried to fix
the clock. Gosh Daisy and Gatsby are just so awkward sipping tea and glancing nervously
at each other and then Nick is just in between them looking straight-ahead with
a face saying “someone please kill me now”.
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| Look at Nick's (middle) face! |
Watching the movie also made me realize they
have so much food that’s going to waste. They literally have a four-tier cake
and they are not touching it at all. Who’s going to eat that cake? :C
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| Like that cake tho! |
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| Young Jordon Baker |
Nick is really naive in the movie. His
innocent comments makes him be seen as a ditzy like character. But overall,
they made the movie pretty accurate. The green light across the bay was shown
many times throughout the movie and I could see how close it was. When reading,
I didn’t notice that it the other side of the bay was that close. I also liked
how they add flashbacks. When Jordon was remembering the day before Daisy’s
wedding and how Gatsby was remembering how he first met Daisy.
This movie is giving me intense feelings.
I liked the book, but this movie gave me a whole lot more feelings than the
book. Whether it be the acting, or the visual effects, it just wants me to just
rewatch scenes that make me go “OMG >.<”. The movie is a great way to see
everything in perspective.
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| Daisy catching Gatsby's shirts. |
Uh-oh. Tom is accusing and confronting
Gatsby right now. I love Jordan’s face. It’s like saying “oh boy, something is
going to happen”. Oooo Gatsby just said “your wife never loved you” to Tom.
Jordon and Nick are just there being nervous and wondering why are they there,
Gatsby is desperate to have Daisy admit she never loved Tom, and Daisy is just
breaking under pressure with everything. I feel really bad for her after seeing
her tear-stricken face.
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| Give the poor girl a break would ya |
Wow, Gatsby just went crazy and just lost all of his coolness.
He was about to hit Tom, which probably wouldn’t be a good idea.
Also, the cars…they are pretty prominent
in this movie. Myrtle’s death was pretty brutal, and when Tom uncovers her
body, he repeats, “I’m fine..I’m fine” even though his face certainly does not
look fine with his tear-stricken face. But other than that scene, Tom and
Gatsby go wayyyyyy over speed limit. They even had this little car race to the
city.
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| RIP |
So Tom tells Wilson the one who ran over
and I already know what the ending is like but the look on Wilson’s face just
screams revenge especially with Tom muttering “he’ll pay..he’ll pay.” Sure
enough, Wilson had shown up killing Gatsby right through the heart. But before
he died, his last word was uttered from his mouth – “Daisy”.
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| RIP #2 |
The ending left me with a sad feeling as
Nick went though the dilapidated mansion, remembering what it was like before
happened. It ends off with the green light fading into blackness just like
Gatsby’s dream.
The most interesting thing is how they
presented this story. They show Nick as the writer who essentially wrote The Great Gatsby. Nick, in the beginning
is in therapy (?) and is talking about his experiences with another person.
Nick says he cannot say it so the other person recommends him to write about it
and thus his story about Gatsby is born. We see Nick adding on The Great onto his original title, Gatsby.
