A & E has released an updated version of the classic story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. While I always enjoy a good romance, I in all honesty did not look forward to this one. For one thing, I absolutely detested the 1974 version starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow (The Great Gatsby ~ 1974). Not only was it boring, but they just did not stay organic to the original story. In addition I am not a fan of Mira Sorvino, who plays Daisy Buchanan. She often uses annoying facial expressions, which in my opinion, detract from the story. Despite the dread I felt towards watching it, I chose to give it a chance. To my surprise, it is wonderfully adapted for screen and truly organic to the novel.
The opening scene included enough commentary to give the powerful opening some legitimacy. Even those not familiar with the novel would understand right away what is going on. This version was more like watching a video book in the way that it incorporated the words from the novel. One problem I have with the observations given by Nick Caraway (Paul Rudd) is the flowery speech used. Caraway brings to thought something he said about Jay Gatsby (Toby Stephens), that the use of language is proper almost to the point of being absurd. I think it can be easy to get lost in all the words. Aside from that minor detail, it is still beautiful and honors the original text.
I admit that I loved the performance given by Sorvino. She pulled off the refined air of a debutante magnificently. Her character was peculiar to me in the way that she lived her life. Her husband Tom (Martin Donovan) was not exactly the most honorable man in that he was not faithful. Despite his shortcomings, the two presented this façade for their friends. They acted as if they had not a care in the world. I suppose the subtext of the story was that their life of money gave them excuse to forget about their problems. It is this performance that gives credibility to the accepted behaviors of the time.
As for the star of the show, Jay Gatsby (Toby Stephens), you will not be disappointed. True to character, he is arrogant and vulnerable. In the beginning, you get the impression that this man is mysterious. Once he is fully introduced, you get the impression that he is just vague. The commentary by Nick Caraway helps to point out the subtext in his behavior, especially towards the end. Through these words, you are allowed to see a different side to him. The description of the movie on the A & E site tells it best, "a poor boy whose love for the rich golden girl Daisy Buchanan is the catalyst that leads to his rise in society and his ultimate demise." This is exactly what Paul Rudd's character does, is to describe the true feelings of Gatsby. You see come to understand that in his efforts to go forward towards his goals, he only retreats towards his past.
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