The Great Gatsby

So this is the one and only movie I have seen in a theater in the last year, and I fell in love with it. Well, to begin with it's staring Leonardo Dicaprio and Toby Maguire, so who couldn't resist, but it's based on the classic work of Literature by the same name. Now if movies done on books are done well, they can be wonderful, and this movie definitely was one of them. Although I've never read the novel, it was evident through watching the movie that it was a very well written thought out plot with plenty of motifs, themes and metaphors. Set in the roaring 20's New York, a mysterious and unimaginably rich man known only as Gatsby hosts extravagant parties weekly. But nobody actually knows who Gatsby is; most people don't care. Next door lives a young stockbroker with a very rich cousin who lives across the bay. After one day getting a mysterious invitation to a party, he meets Gatsby himself. The two become fast friends. Sweeping his new friend away and have a grand time, Gatsby makes a real friend. The truth comes out when Gatsby reveals that he is in love with his neighbor's married cousin across the bay and that is why he built his house in that location. The story goes on to include more plot twists, love tangles and comes to a shocking conclusion. Exploring the societal rift between the rich and the poor and trus friendship, it is very well done. I think the main theme of Gatsby's never ending hope and faith that he will end up with the girl he loves was very well done in this movie and it definitely stuck with you. The one thing that stuck with me the most was the concept of popularity and fads; that the rich high society people only want to be with you if you're rich and giving them something. Overall this was an unexpected, deep, powerful film and I really enjoyed it.