THE GREAT GATSBY
US, 2000, 90 minutes, Colour.
Toby Stephens, Mira Sorvino, Paul Rudd, Martin Donovan, Francie Swift, Heather Goldenhersh, Matt Molloy.
Directed by Robert Markowitz.
The Great Gatsby is considered one of the greatest of the American novels, certainly the greatest of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
It was filmed in 1949 with Alan Ladd and Betty Field with Macdonald Carey as Nick Carraway. The best-known version is that of 1974 with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow with Sam Waterston as Nick Carraway.
This version was made for television, by Robert Markowitz who directed a number of television movies. It is very elegant, keeps a lot of Scott Fitzgerald’s dialogue, keeps the voice-over by Nick Carraway who this time is played by Paul Russ, better known for comic roles.
Toby Stephens, the son of Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens, becomes American in his interpretation of Gatsby. He has the broad smile, he has the personal charm – which is especially striking because Stephens has often played more villainous roles or roles on television like Mr Rochester in Jane Eyre. Mira Sorvino is Daisy Buchanan and Martin Donovan is very good as her arrogant husband Tom. Francie Swift is Jordan Baker and Heather Goldenhersh is Myrtle Wilson.
The film keeps faithfully to the novel, presents life on Long Island and in the mansions of the rich in 1922, is very strong on décor and costumes, music of the period – and an interpretation of an American classic.
1.The status of the novel? F. Scott Fitzgerald? The various film versions? The television style of this film?
2.Reliance on the text of the novel, Nick Carraway’s voice-over?
3.The Long Island settings, the world of the mansions, the bay? The contrast with the garage? The importance of the advertisement with the eyes and the glasses? New York, interiors, décor and costumes? Musical score? The jazz age music?
4.The structure of the film: the opening with the shooting of Gatsby, Nick Carraway’s voice-over, telling the story? The linear narrative of the events? The flashbacks to Gatsby and Daisy? Flashbacks to Myrtle, her own flashbacks and relationship with Tom?
5.Nick as the central character, his army background, the bond with Gatsby? His age, turning thirty, his worries and regrets? World War One? The friendship with Tom, going to visit, Daisy and her little girl? Meeting Jordan, the attraction and friendship? The talk about Gatsby? Going to New York, his embarrassment with Tom picking up Myrtle, in the apartment? The drinking? Nick and his concern about Daisy? The invitation to the party at Gatsby’s house, his arrival, the guests, talking to Gatsby without knowing who he was? The set-up of the visit for Daisy? His doing it, wary? Daisy’s arrival, meeting Gatsby, his leaving them together? The embarrassment at listening to Gatsby and Daisy and their love for each other? The party, at Gatsby’s, the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby? The harsh words spoken, Nick’s reaction? Going to New York, passing the garage? The tension in New York, Daisy’s declarations? The return, Nick going with Jordan? Passing the garage? Learning about the death? His going to Gatsby’s, Gatsby telling him the truth about Daisy driving? Gatsby’s death, Nick’s reaction? The phone calls about the deals and the bonds? His reflections on the friendship? Gatsby’s father, the truth about his name: Jimmy Gatz? The funeral? Nick’s attitude, going to confront Tom, Tom giving the information to Wilson, murdering him – and Tom’s disregard? Nick’s future? The experience of the friendship with Gatsby?
6.Toby Stephens as Gatsby, his appearance, style, manner? Smile? Buying the house for Daisy? His father’s story about him, Jimmy Gatz, his notebook, ambitions? His leaving home, going into the army? Meeting Daisy, falling in love? The deals, the forgery? His wealth? The lifestyle in the mansion, declaration of love for Daisy, his becoming almost boyish? Tom, the clash, the investigation? The friendship with Nick and sharing with him? Nick’s admiring him while disapproving of him? The anxiety over Daisy driving? His death?
7.Daisy, her past, rich, spoilt? Love for Gatsby, not waiting? In love with Tom, the baby? Hurt by Tom’s infidelities? Nick’s visit, her visit to his house and meeting Gatsby? The memories of the past, the flashbacks? The confrontation with Tom, her declaration of love for Gatsby but unable to say she had not loved Tom? The drive back from New York, the flashback to the accident, Myrtle running onto the road, not stopping? Her feeling alright, a rather callous attitude? No contact with Gatsby, going away with Tom?
8.Tom, his arrogance, racial superiority and comments, his infidelity with Myrtle, the discussions with Wilson, selling him the car? Friendship with Nick, clash with Gatsby, the investigation? His rudeness to him at the party? Telling Wilson about Gatsby’s car? His final callous comments?
9.Myrtle, her life, her love for Tom, the confrontation, Wilson as a simple man, work, the gas, wanting the car, knowing the truth, the decision to leave? Myrtle’s death and his grief? Killing Gatsby and himself?
10.Jordan Christopher, golf, lifestyle, rich, friendship, dalliances?
11.The world of Long Island, the 20s, surfaces and appearances, reality? Nick’s criticism of the Long Island set?
