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• The book and the movie were trumped up

  • Jeff Boston
  • 3/12/13

  My public high school had us read "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The Great Gatsby". Makes sense because the public school system has been controlled by liberals for decades and the above-referenced novels are perpetually favored by the left for indoctrination purposes. The former supposedly shows how capitalism does not work (when it has been the greatest wealth producer in world history) and the federal govt (no one/nothing else helps the Joad family in the entire book or movie) is the answer to all our problems, while the latter shows how capitalism does not work (too much disparity in income and lifestyles) and the rich are all decadent and lazy (could not be farther from the truth). The two are propaganda pieces.

• Gorgeous cinematography!

  • RedRain
  • 11/6/12

  This film is so well photographed that you can see the details on the mens' ties! It's beautiful to watch and, of course, there is always Robert Redford at his most handsome to look at! Sam Waterston excels as the narrator of the film and as Gatsby's only real friend. It seems strange now but Waterston won a Golden Globe for "most promising newcomer!" I despised the novel because Fitzgerald wrote of all the self-indulgent wealthy brats he ran with and he was one of the worst offenders. Gatsby is Fitzgerald and I've always looked at this piece as his autobiography. This film is worth seeing one time. It should be mentioned that Karen Black received an Academy Award for her role here and it is easy to see why. She is sensational! I am looking forward to Baz Luhrmann's "Gatsby" which is due out May 2013. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and I believe he can give more gravitas to the character than Redford does here. Carey Mulligan will star as Daisy and I'm certain she will be better than Mia Farrow was in her role.

• Not so great

  • Oliver Cutshaw
  • 11/5/12

  Pretty good film adaptation but mostly all style and little substance. Sam Waterson is memorable but nearly everyone else seems either miscast, misdirected, or just a little off-key. The movie was given the big build up when released in the 1970's but kind of misfired. With good reason. In a decade of great films, Godfather and The Sting to name two, this film just seems a bit tame. Still it hits most of the key elements of the novel and has excellent sets and costuming. Take a look, but expect too much.

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