Review: The Great Gatsby film by Baz Luhrmann (2013)

The Great Gatsby: a film that will leave a mark in your heart forever. A story of hope, love, and attempting to bring back the magic that was once found in the past. 

The film was an unforgettable experience for me. I hadn’t planned to watch this masterpiece, yet by the time it ended, I felt something shift within me. Gatsby’s unwavering persistence to win Daisy back, the love he carried and nurtured in his heart for five long years, is a reflection of a love so profound that it resonated with something deep within me. 

The morning before Daisy’s arrival, Gatsby shows up at Nick’s doorstep. We see Nick holding a tray of cupcakes, whilst Gatsby’s florist carries an entire garden of flowers for Daisy into his home. This gesture reflects the depth of his feelings and love for her that has grown over the past five years, yet despite this abundant gift, he is still anxious that it might not be enough. This scene is not only my favourite in the entire film but also among the most poignant moments of every film I’ve ever seen. Gatsby and Nick sit together, waiting for Daisy. Gatsby is incredibly anxious. For him, this meeting represents the culmination of five long years of longing and desperately hoping for the chance to re-live a love lost to time. As the clock strikes two minutes past four, Gatsby watches in anxious anticipation. Daisy is late by just a few minutes, yet it’s enough to send him spiralling into doubt, wondering if the whole idea is foolish. He stands to leave –his steps are heavy with hesitance. But as he reaches the door, the sound of Daisy's car pulling up catches his attention.

In an instant, Gatsby's expression shifts: he is nervous but joyous, eager but overwhelmed by the moment. He steps out of the house, his heart racing as he stands outside, caught between hope and anxiety, longing for a moment that feels both exhilarating and terrifying. 

Daisy steps into Nick's home, filled with a childlike wonder at the sheer abundance of flowers around her. Meanwhile, Gatsby stands outside in the pouring rain, his clothes soaked through. He knocks on the door, and when Nick opens it, he is startled to find Gatsby standing there, drenched and shivering. Without a word, Gatsby steps inside, drawing a deep breath as he gathers his composure, bracing himself for the reunion he has long awaited.

The moment when Gatsby and Daisy reunite is utterly breathtaking, my favourite moment in the entire film. As Daisy gazes out the window, lost in thought, Gatsby steps into the room, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and nervous anticipation. Daisy turns her back, and her eyes meet Gatsby's for the first time in five long years, heavy with memories and poignant emotion. Time seems to stand still as they share a glance that reveals all—a glance of recognition, of a love that never truly faded. Daisy smiles and softly says, "I’m certainly glad to see you again." Gatsby holds his breath and responds longingly “I’m certainly glad to see you as well”.

Gatsby is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, he is simultaneously embarrassed and exhilarated. As Nick brings tea for Gatsby and Daisy, Gatsby stands nervously by an old clock, offering a shy smile before softly saying, "We’ve met before." While shifting awkwardly, he accidentally knocks the clock, scrambling to catch it before it falls. Flustered, he places it back and sits down, his face flushed with embarrassment.  

Daisy, in a voice tinged with nostalgia, replies, "We haven’t met in so many years." Unable to hold back, Gatsby abruptly interjects with quiet urgency, "Five years next November." He knows the exact date, every moment of those years spent building a life worthy of her love.  

A charged silence settles over the room, heavy with unspoken words. Nick realises that for Gatsby and Daisy to truly open their hearts to each other, they need to be alone. Nick excuses himself to run into town, he goes to the door, but Gatsby rushes after him, pleading anxiously for him to stay. Nick, with a knowing look, reassures him, "She’s embarrassed too, just as much as you are."  Stunned by the revelation, Gatsby takes a moment to collect himself. When he re-enters the room, it’s with a newfound confidence, a warm genuine smile lighting up his face. His eyes, brimming with tenderness and hope, convey what words never could, speaking volumes in that single, unforgettable moment.

In that instant, the years melt away as they reconnect, laughing, reminiscing, and sharing memories. Gatsby gazes at Daisy as he’s listening to her, just in the way that Jordan described to Nick. Nick returns, a smile spreading across his face as he sees Daisy and Gatsby deeply engrossed in conversation. Wanting to announce his presence, he bangs pots and pans in the kitchen to no avail. He then moves into the room and hums softly, hoping to catch their attention. Still unnoticed, Nick steps closer and gently informs them that the rain has stopped. Gatsby, his face alight with joy, rises and extends an invitation to Daisy and Nick, warmly suggesting they visit his house.

Gatsby takes Nick and Daisy to his grand mansion, and as Daisy steps inside the gate, her eyes wander in wonder. Meanwhile, Gatsby stands beside Nick, his gaze fixed on Daisy with an expression of pure, undying love. Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Gatsby’s character is flawless: his eyes reveal the depths of his soul, conveying a wave of emotion that words could never capture. The three of them dance and laugh together but amidst the joy, Daisy’s smile fades, and a quiet sadness settles over her. She is married to Tom Buchanan, wealthy, powerful and unfaithful man, and the reality of her situation weighs heavily on her heart. 

But the next moment strikes a chord deep within me every time. Gatsby gently asks Daisy to sit, then presents her with a book, an album filled with letters and photographs of her -a testament to the undying love he’s held for her all these years. Daisy's sadness is levelled with pure joy as she discovers that Gatsby has kept all her letters through the years. She can hardly believe such devotion, her heart overwhelmed by the depth of his love. Gatsby, it seems, has crafted this entire world just for Daisy alone. In that quiet gesture, it becomes clear he sees nothing in this life except for her.

Their situation is far more complicated than it seems, tangled in layers of time and longing. Five years have passed, and Gatsby remains devotedly attached to the Daisy of the past. His unwavering devotion reminds me of a quote by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish: 

“You won’t find the same person twice, not even in the same person.”

This quote perfectly captures Gatsby’s character, he throws lavish parties and purchases an elaborate mansion, all in the hope of rekindling what once was, of drawing Daisy back into his life. Yet, in his relentless pursuit, he seems to overlook a painful truth, perhaps it is the time to accept that Daisy has changed, that she is no longer the same girl he fell in love with all those years ago.

I sincerely recommend watching this film. It’s a journey into the depths of love and emotion, enhanced by breathtaking cinematography and an atmosphere that feels alive. Gatsby’s love story with Daisy began unexpectedly, without plans or expectations, reminding us that some of life’s most beautiful moments come without any planning.

 The cast delivered impeccable performances, with Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Gatsby shining as a true masterpiece. However, Toby Maguire was equally outstanding in his role as Nick Carraway, bringing remarkable depth and authenticity to the character. His subtle performance, filled with quiet observation and emotional resonance, anchored the story and gave it a profound sense of perspective. Carey Mulligan was nothing short of spectacular as Daisy Buchanan, embodying both the deep love she holds for Gatsby and the heartrending inner struggle between her passion for him and the security symbolised by her husband, Tom Buchanan.

Overall, as the film poignantly shows, true love comes unexpectedly but can also vanish just as suddenly, leaving us unprepared for the devastating loss and sometimes stuck desperately trying to relive it. Ultimately, as Nick Carraway points out: ‘You can’t repeat the past’.

Written by: Abdulelah Ali

Image Credit: Manhattan at Sunset New York Cityscape Photography by Guiseppe Milo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manhattan_At_Sunset_New_York_Cityscape_Photography_%28239226845%29.jpeg