The Great Gatsby is a 2013 film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald 's 1925 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Baz Luhrmann, written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce and won the 2014 Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, along with other significant awards for best editing, best sound and best cinematography. The Great Gatsby follows a Wall Street trader, Nick Carraway played by Tobey Maguire as he comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lives next door to a mysterious, party-throwing millionaire, Jay Gatsby played by Leonardo DiCaprio and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy played by Carey Mulligan
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Although the green light that shines across the water is it’s own theme in the film, the lighting of the shots themselves was memorable. When Gatsby is giving Daisy a personal tour of his house, the two are practically dancing when they get to the walk in closet. Gatsby is on the second level and throws shirts and scarfs onto Daisy, who is laughing with joy. The scene shows the pure love of the forbidden couple, but it is broken when Daisy begins to cry. As Daisy comes to the realization that she chose to lose five years with Gatsby, her close up is in the dark and his close up is in the light. Contrary to the moments before, when pastel clothing was flying through the room and rays of light were shining through the windows, Daisy is now cast in shadows because she has realized reality that she and Gatsby can not be together. Gatsby is illuminated because he has experienced a warm reunion with her and he sees potential in their relationship. The difference in lighting creates tension because it makes it visible that the two are in different states. The Great Gatsby was an exceptional film that redefined the meaning of the American Dream. The film exuded a very high end feel, but critiqued American society by exposing that the typical American Dream as crass materialism. Unlike other’s, Gatsby’s American Dream is not superficial, but is to love and be loved by Daisy. Specifically through the editing, sound and cinematography, it is proven that an extravagant lifestyle can not cover underlying
Although the green light that shines across the water is it’s own theme in the film, the lighting of the shots themselves was memorable. When Gatsby is giving Daisy a personal tour of his house, the two are practically dancing when they get to the walk in closet. Gatsby is on the second level and throws shirts and scarfs onto Daisy, who is laughing with joy. The scene shows the pure love of the forbidden couple, but it is broken when Daisy begins to cry. As Daisy comes to the realization that she chose to lose five years with Gatsby, her close up is in the dark and his close up is in the light. Contrary to the moments before, when pastel clothing was flying through the room and rays of light were shining through the windows, Daisy is now cast in shadows because she has realized reality that she and Gatsby can not be together. Gatsby is illuminated because he has experienced a warm reunion with her and he sees potential in their relationship. The difference in lighting creates tension because it makes it visible that the two are in different states. The Great Gatsby was an exceptional film that redefined the meaning of the American Dream. The film exuded a very high end feel, but critiqued American society by exposing that the typical American Dream as crass materialism. Unlike other’s, Gatsby’s American Dream is not superficial, but is to love and be loved by Daisy. Specifically through the editing, sound and cinematography, it is proven that an extravagant lifestyle can not cover underlying