Rating: 
Summary: "God Sees Everything"
Review: F. Scott Fitzgerald's sterling The Great Gatsby (1925) is broadly considered the greatest American work of fiction of the twentieth century; with Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), it is one of two viable candidates for the mythic title of the Great American Novel. Coming on the heels of the glib, hilarious This Side of Paradise (1920) and the overextended The Beautiful And The Damned (1922), The Great Gatsby represented both an immense step forward in Fitzgerald's artistry and the kind of achievement only a handful of writers are capable of producing over the course of a lifetime. What makes The Great Gatsby all the more remarkable is the fact that the economically - written novel is built upon a thin, almost predictable plot which concerns itself exclusively with crass, spiritually coarse people. With the exception of hopeful, naive narrator Nick Carraway, almost all of the characters are frayed personalities existing in a depthless, moment - to - moment world which lacks values, substance, and any inherent quality worth living for. Magnificently wealthy Tom Buchanan is an earthy, brutish man who believes that "might makes right," while his attractive wife Daisy is a skittish, shallow, and unintentionally callous woman apt to go with whatever the wind blows her way. Their friend Jordan Baker, a jaded sportswoman with a talent for shrewd social observation, illustrates the novel's cynical view of both humanity and the American way of life. Jay Gatsby, whose flaws are somewhat easier to sympathize with, stands in contrast to these diversion - seeking characters. Gatsby is a delusional man with a benevolent God complex, a manipulative, calculating individual who falteringly believes that the past -- and the truth -- can be obliterated and permanently transcended by sheer force of will. Unlike the Buchanans and Jordan, Gatsby has more than filled the empty void of the universe with his fantasies of romantic fulfillment. But Tom, Daisy, and Jordan eventually show signs of human feeling and moral awareness, however briefly, while Gatsby, who is also exceedingly wealthy, clearly reflects their superficial vision in some of his own choices, actions, and values. The genius of The Great Gatsby is evident in the manner in which Fitzgerald subtly underscores and illustrates the motivators that drive and define the American psyche. In an America that is both a relatively new country as well as a capitalistic one, Gatsby and Tom are concerned with recreating themselves and achieving self - esteem, social respect, and power through the attainment and maintenance of wealth, the single recognized indicator of success in their world. A distorting - mirror image of the American Dream, The Great Gatsby illustrates how a sincere desire for evolved selfhood can instead devolve into a nightmare scenario of the nouveau riche. To his credit, the pseudo - heroic Gatsby has a larger, if impossibly imagined, goal beyond the accumulation of wealth, property, and friends. The novel is also a meditation on how the American desire to achieve a socially respected, successful identity usually requires moral compromise and a series of carefully - constructed fabrications, which in turn may lead directly to self - delusion. Jay Gatsby may be American literature's most famous chameleon, though one ultimately lacking the nimble antisocial personality to successfully pull off his charade. Interestingly, few establishment critics have commented at length on Gatsby's youthful relationship with wealthy, older mentor Dan Cody, a suspect relationship that Nick rightly refers to "strange." As a striking but penniless young man, Gatsby has been employed by Cody "in a vague personal capacity" while he remained with Cody he was in turn steward, mate, skipper, secretary and even jailor." Having traveled together three times around the world by yacht, their long idle comes to end when Cody's wife Ella suddenly comes "on board" and puts a stop to their companionship. Then Cody -- bereft of Gatsby's company -- suddenly dies. As an adult, Gatsby keeps a portrait of Cody prominently displayed in his mansion, which Nick calls "a token of forgotten violence." Is Gatsby, despite his troubadour - like obsession with Daisy, in fact bisexually inclined? Or has his relationship with Cody merely been an opportunistic means to an end? Or one of honest mentoring? When Gatsby invites Daisy to see his palatial estate, Nick is surprised to suddenly come upon Klipspringer, a man Gatsby refers to as his "boarder." Klipspringer, who has never previously been mentioned in the narrative and who promptly disappears back to wherever he came from, is discovered "in pajamas" "doing liver exercises on the floor" in one of the spare bedrooms. Nick then recalls that he has seen the mysterious Klipspringer "wandering hungrily about the beach" earlier that morning. During an uncomfortable lapse in conversation, Gatsby lights on the idea of having "Klipspringer play the piano," and calls out "Ewing!" Entering, Klipspringer is described as "an embarrassed, slightly worn young man with shell - rimmed glasses and scanty blonde hair." Sitting at the piano, Klipspringer plays a song of his own choosing, tellingly called "The Love Nest." Fitzgerald makes it evident that Klipspringer is both 'artistic' and subordinate to Gatsby's whims. Curiously, Nick, who is fascinated by the enigmatic Gatsby's motivations, never raises the question of Klipspringer again. Is the fashion conscious, antique - loving Jay Gatsby, like Holden Caulfield, one of American literature's encrypted homosexual figures? In a novel as concerned with questions of identity as this, the Dan Cody and Klipspringer episodes are impossible to overlook and can hardly be accidental. Later in the story, the cuckolded George Wilson says, "God sees everything." Is the reader intended to "see everything" about Gatsby as well? It's worth noting that both of Fitzgerald's previous books feature shrill, effete male characters whose antics border on high camp. Less than hugely successful upon publication, it wasn't until the fifties that The Great Gatsby was fully recognized as the masterpiece it is. Balanced and poetically realized throughout, with The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald mastered the art of revealing the soulful tragedy inherent in both the complex and commonplace members of mankind.
Rating:
Summary: Read the Great Gatsby
Review: I read the Great Gatsby for school in my junior year of high school and loved it. It is beautifully written and is full of great insight. It is an awesome example of Lost Generation literature. The ending is fantastic. Please read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What's so great about this guy?
Review: I don't understand. This book is called the Great Gatsby, but everyone in the book treats Gatsby like he's regular size. What's so great about that? I mean, if he were a giant or something, that would be totally sweet, but if he's just a normal size guy, then why does he get a whole book about his greatness?
All I really remember about this book is there are some strange things about lights on the shore, and a chick named Daisy, which made me think about the Dukes of Hazard a little bit, but that's it. I sorta vaguely remember Gatsby fighting a jive talking robot, but it was in one of the later chapters, so I won't ruin it for you.
You can read this book if you want, but I'd recommend you try and figure out who is better: Kitt from Knight Rider, or the Orange car from Dukes of Hazard.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Ever!
Review: The Great Gatsby is a wonderful tale of an era. It is intriguiging, suspensful, and a well-written novel. The TNT movie of this is just as great!
Rating: 
Summary: To Mr. M
Review: In general, I was pretty impressed with the movie version of The Great Gatsby (with Mira Sovergno-- sorry, don't know the spelling of that). There were, however a few moments within this picture that I was vaguely disappointed in.
For one, a large portion of the acting was over the top and very unbelieveable. The man who played Gatsby is perfect in terms of appearance, but it is obvious that he has either never read the book, or that he had a misinterpretation of what Gatsby is like. He played him too cocky, and even when he tried to act unsure of himself, it still came off to arrogant. However, Gatsby wasn't the only character that I found myself displeased with. Jordan's appearance wasn't at all what I expected. I had personally pictured her as a longer haired blonde woman, and looking more sporty as well. In contrast, I believe that the people who played Nick and Tom were absolutely perfect. I was especially please with Nick-- he did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the character, and seemed to fit very well into a surprisingly nonchalant character. However, there were a few parts of this movie that was very impressed with.
A major portion of the movie rendition of the Great Gatsby I was happy with was how true it stayed to the book. I found myself questioning if anything was changed at all, and I don't think that I found one single part, other than the fact that it had to be cut down in order to make into a movie. I know that this is a very hard task to accomplish, especially since so much happens in the book, and I was extremely pleased.
In general, the combination of a good script and so-so acting made me have an overall neutral feeling for this movie. It was entertaining, but I obviousley enjoyed the book much more.
Thank you, Mr. Mr, for making me read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The American Dream, Warped Version
Review: This is another classic that everyone should read again - after having read it the first time in jr. high school - as an adult in order to truly appreciate it. The story is now part of American Mythology: Jay Gatsby, mysterious millionaire, Oxford graduate, WWI hero, is actually a naive midwesterner, recreated and transplanted in Long Island to regain the love of his Fantasy Golden Girl. What he should have known but didn't is that rich girls don't marry poor boys. Gatsby is American ingenuity, determination, zest for life and innocence ripped asunder by American cynicism, banal materialism and bigotry.
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Summary: Movie Vs. Book?
Review: Mr.M:
The movie, The Great Gatsby was about a love...square was it? A man who has been given the name, Jay Gatsby, lives in East Egg, New York. He is obsessed with money, and so are all his neighbors. Five years before the story takes place in the 1920s, Gatsby met a lady by the name of Daisy. They fell in love, but Gatsby had to got to war. Daisy couldn't wait for him, so she married Tom, a wealthy man, yet has been cheating on her with Myrtle. She is a lower class, rather fanatical women who is married to Wilson. This whole story about how money corrupts people and their loves, is told by the perspective of Nick, who becomes Gatsby's closest friend.
The movie was very closely related to the book, even using some of the same dialogue in parts. Yet the book seems to have more foreshadowing than the movie. Events such as when the car crashes in front of Gatsby's house after a party of his is not included. The casting has its ups and downs as well. Characters such as Daisy and Gatsby shined in their performance. Daisy had a flowing, yet somewhat ditzy attribute about her that made her perfect for the role. Toby Stephens has a tricky role to play being Gatsby, yet he pulled off the ambitious, prosperous character. One character that was not cast correctly was Tom. In the book he is described as a huge, muscular man who is forceful and rough. Martin Donovan was not much larger than Gatsby, and did not have the stature of a football player.
The director, Robert Markowitz, must have done his research on the 1920s, because even the music had its place. The jazz background music brought to life the scenes, which were all very colorful. Gatsby's house had rich colors, such as gold and red, to portray all the money he had. The dressed that the women wore were just right. Myrtle did not wear the type of dress that Daisy would have. This was right on because Myrtle was part of the lower working class, and Daisy was an upscale woman.
All together, I was very impressed with the movie. It was closely related to the book, which would make it easy for one to understand, even if they hadn't read the book...yet. The movie kept my attention throughout the entire time I was watching it, it never became boring or repetitive. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has every had interests in well directed, suspenseful dramas with a bit of action.
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Summary: Mr M
Review: Mr M's Movie Review: The Great Gatsby The movie opens with the death of Gatsby and the falling of the precious cufflinks to the bottom of the swimming pool. About five years ago Gatsby loved and wanted to marry Daisy, but couldn't because he was too poor. Finally he has earned enough money, but Daisy is already married. The Great Gatsby is the story of upper-class society in the 1920s and the interactions between a group of people.
Nick, played by Paul Rudd, was what I expected Nick to be like when I read the book. He was short which I think was supposed to show his unassertiveness and also he just looked controlled and exactly like the character I had read about before. Gatsby was played by Toby Stephens, who did a good job. The only thing I didn't like about his performance was that he reminded me of a really sleazy guy. When his smile turned to the side, he looked like he was trying to sell you a car or something. Overall I thought the cast was well chosen except for Gatsby because he seemed like a jerk.
The movie seemed very accurate to book (themes, characters, symbolism, plot). It was really neat that when the two cars reached the setting of Myrtle's house that it was all dark and gray and colorless. This was a change from the bright colors the rich and symbolized the difference between the two classes. Another similarity involved the mood of the scenes. Most of them seemed to fit very well, like when Daisy cried over the shirts and was like a little kid touching all of Gatsby's possessions. This scene is supposed to give a feeling of materialism, and it's done very well. A major difference between the book and this movie is that at the begging of the movie it shows Gatsby being shot in his pool. I think the purpose of this was to get the movie of to a faster start before the introduction of the characters.
One major problem with the movie was that it switched narrators about half way through. Instead of being from the perspective of Nick, it switched to Gatsby and Daisy's perspective during their affair. This is a little confusing because in the book Nick is informed about their relationship from other people, and that information is changed depending on who's telling it. By changing this part in the movie, it takes away a certain character development that is given through the way they talk to others.
An aspect of the movie that really impressed me was the camera movement towards the end. Although seemingly insignificant, this detail can create different feelings depending on the quickness of the movement or how much waiting time is allowed. After Gatsby is shot the camera goes from his body to his killer, Wilson, to the police officer, to Nick, and finally to the sky. This sweeping movement gives the viewer a new piece of information every time it moves. Also, the scene was relatively calm and relaxed, as the event was an inevitable conclusion. I really liked the music of this movie. It seemed to enhance each scene by making some of them more dramatic or warning the viewer when something bad is about to happen. That's a quality that a movie can have that a book can't, it can use sound and visuals to bring the plot to a different level.
Overall the Great Gatsby was a well-adapted movie of a book and used the extra senses to create feelings that weren't apparent before. The director's knowledge of the themes, moods and characters was obvious through the careful presentation and flowing scenes. One area in which this movie could have been better was some of the details like nick's perspective seemed a little different or untrue to the book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Great Gatsby Movie Review, Mr. M
Review: The movie version of The Great Gatsby, was very concise with the book. I was surprised that the lines were said word for word. It made the book become real, and I was finally able to see certain places that I couldn't picture in my head while reading the book. I believe that while the settings and events were accurate some of the actors that played their character could have been chosen better to fit the part.
The performance of Nick played by Paul Rudd did an excellent job with his character. In the book I was always picturing Nick to be this man that was relatively quiet, boring, and the most normal of all the Great Gatsby characters. In the movie that's exactly what he played. He did a good job looking very glum throughout the book, and I believed his character very much.
As for Gatsby, who was played by Toby Stephens, I feel they could have found someone that would have played the part better. I pictured a character that looked older, and wasn't so perfect looking, (hair, teeth, etc.). I just feel that he didn't play up to his role, and when he spoke I didn't feel as though the movie was as real anymore, because I don't think he fit the character. I also think it could be due to the fact that finding an actor for the role of Gatsby would be difficult because Gatsby is such a hard character to play.
The movies accuracy to the book was extremely concise, and fitting. I totally believed it, and the director, (Robert Markowitz) did an excellent job keeping things parallel with the book, instead of putting a Hollywood spin on things. The characters were mostly played well and were accurate with the exception of Tom, whom I thought would be a much heavier and stouter character, and Myrtle, whom, I thought would have more beauty to her than she did. Even though she played such a small role, I though that Tom and Daisy's little girl would have been a blonde haired cute little thing, and turned out to have brownish/blackish WILD curly hair. Of course Gatsby, who I felt didn't fit his character well at all.
The production of the film was very well done. The settings and places in the book were extremely concise in matching up with the book. The tone and the feel of the movie were well done also. The book, to me, felt dark and depressing, and surprisingly enough the movie gave off that vibe too.
Mr. M made us watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: 1920's Story of Money and Pride
Review: This is a story of a man who tries to impress a girl, by showing her he can be apart of the upper class in New York City. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who met the main character, Jay Gatsby at one of Gatsby's parties. Gatsby, whose real name is James Gatz, has moved from North Dakota to New York City to prosper as a wealthy stock broker. That is a very different change, even if it's in the 1920's.
Gatsby has one intention throughout the story that is to get Daisy back. She is a past fling that took place in Louisville, Kentucky. Daisy is married to Tom, who is very wealthy. Tom, unlike Gatsby, has had wealth in his family that dates back several generations. Tom says, "....." Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson.
Nick meets Jordan Baker, whose name represents Lexus or Mercedes in current times because both Jordan and Baker were popular automobiles during the time. Nick invites Gatsby and Daisy over to his home so they can meet up with each other again. This makes Tom jealous because Gatsby and Daisy fall in love again.
Tom invites the whole crew out to eat and accuses Gatsby of causing trouble with him and Daisy. They tell everyone that they are in love and leave. George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, also gets into a fight and she leaves, only to be hit by the car that Daisy is driving. Tom tells George that Gatsby is responsible for the Myrtle's death and George goes to Gatsby's home and kills Gatsby, but then turns and shoots himself. Nobody shows up to Gatsby's funeral in the end, which I perceive as you can change the outside of a person, but not the inside.
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