In my view, the actors are chosen very accurately. The actress playing the role of Daisy perfectly conveys the unpleasant character of the heroine. The only thing that surprised me about the actors was the one who played Mr. Wilson. I imagined him completely different: a stout, bearded, exhausted man. 

The way of how Nick writes the book seemed to me a fascinating idea, but it felt like the emphasis in the film was more on the glittering roaring 20’s; as if the emotions of the characters were not fully disclosed. However, the episode in Gatsby's house with the scattering of his shirts, despite all its cheerful component, seemed to me very touching and upsetting. At that moment, knowing the ending of the book, I realized that this would never happen again in their life.

Of course the picture is splendid: the chic interior of Mr. Gatsby's house and the one of the Buchanan's, the neat exterior of Nick's house, perfectly matched details, actors' clothes and fashion details of that time. Especially selection and combination of colors and music! 

I think it would have been better to reduce the amount of vulgarity in some scenes (an evening in an apartment in New York with Tom and Myrtle, a meeting with Mr. Wolfsheim in a restaurant, for example) and save time (and the budget of the film, ha-ha). 

I wanted to see more psychology in the dialogues and behavior of the characters. Perhaps I didn't quite catch it because of the hyperbolization, I don't know, it's so, just a personal remark :)

For example, I was very touched by the last dialogue between Nick and Mr. Gatsby on the day of his death, when Nick thanked Gatsby for breakfast and said to him encouragingly, "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." I literally cried after these words, because I understood (and knew) that this was their last meeting. But, unfortunately, in the film, this scene turned out to be quite crumpled and could not convey the full depth of Nick's words. 

in general, I would rate the film 7/10, but I would not recommend it for watching. I have watched it in a grudging way actually :) Because I'm always in favor of reading a book rather than watching a movie. I practically don't watch movies based on the books I have read, so as not to be disappointed (even though I never repose trust in such things) and not to spoil my impression. 

P.S: I think I have watched the movie with about the same expression on my face as Jordan Backer has there :)

Sonya L.

As for my favourite scene from the movie, it is definitely the one when Nick enters the living room at the Buchanans. I could feel the breeze and the soft touch of the flattering sheer curtains. 

The last but not least, I would recommend to watch the movie if you’re seeking some visual satisfaction. However, if you’re interested in what the characters experience throughout the whole action, you definitely need to read the book. 

Evgenia Burdakova

When you watch a movie with voice acting in Russian, you get a completely different impression than when you watch it in the original. Now I can say with certainty that I enjoy watching a movie after reading a book much more than reading a book after watching a movie. It's very exciting to notice little details, phrases, words in the film that you read in the book. I like to watch how the director interprets everything that was mentioned in the book. It is very interesting to compare your impression and the images that have formed in your head with what you see on the screen.

Baz Luhrmann’s bright and pompous scenes of the parties contrast with the slower, more quiet episodes of people's lives, this is exactly how I imagined these pictures.

Filippova Yulia

In my opinion, the actors are well chosen, but something is wrong with them. The pathos created around Gatsby has been preserved in the film, but it seems to me that Leonardo DiCaprio is not very suitable for this role.

I want to say that the film fully corresponds to the plot of the book. I especially enjoyed the moment when Nick narrated about Gatsby at a psychologist's appointment.

However, it was perfect to start and finish the film with the green light, which was a symbol of hope for Gatsby.

Nikiforova

We also can almost feel with our skin the ambience of Roaring Twenties: its chaotic parties, people driving up to Gatsby’s gates out of nowhere. Raves drowned in alcohol (literally, as Nick was pouring champagne right on his head) and abounding with lust – and Nick’s backwash, his “hangover” after parties of this sort was so vividly displayed that it makes a viewer ruminate about the meretriciousness of such superficiality and idleness.

There was, however, some incongruity in what I have seen with the plot of the book. Here on screen I’ve seen Daisy being more likeable and softer in her relations with Gatsby: she even wanted to answer his last call. And Tom – surprisingly – appeared to me more reserved than he seemed according to the book. And, regardless all the beautiful quotes, that I repeated after the actors (I couldn’t help counting the words and phrases we’ve discussed on our lessons!), my most beloved citation “God, I’m so sophisticated!” was not present :(

THE CAST! I ADORE IT! Almost all of the main characters were played by my personal icons: Leo DiCaprio (“Titanic”, “Aviator”, “Shutter Island”), Tobi Maguire (“Spiderman”). And, above all, Elizabeth Debicki – noble, lofty, infatuating! Her voice, her frame, her acting skills are definitely something ethereal. My eyes were glistening and my heart missed a beat every time she appeared on the screen. She is quite into “Roaring Twenties” as later, in 2018, she even played Fitzgerald’s coeval, Virginia Wolf. She manages to fit this epoch quite naturally.

The music is splendid: the feeling of joy you experience when you hear modern songs (quite popular among the youth of our epoch) but transformed in a way the youth would listen to them a century ago is literally breathtaking. The “ghonnection” (ha-ha) of the ages is what I can note among the great ‘devices’ used in the film.

Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy the movie! J’adore ça!

/p.s. Leo DiCaprio' s characters tend to die in the water - just a fun fact))/

Talking about the actors and their assigned roles, in the beginning I was I little dubious about most of the actor choices. But throughout the movie I understood that all the actors suited their roles and even brought some new light to them. Even Leonardo DiCaprio, concerning whom I have some unflattering opinions, looked very natural in this role. Gatsby is deeply, passionately in love, and DiCaprio has just the right type of look, the right type of stare and behavior that can depict this state of mind and soul. And talking about the actresses of the movie, I would like to say that I’m in love. All of them – Carey Mulligan (Daisy), Isla Fisher (Myrtle), Elizabeth Debicki (Jordan) – are talented, incredible, and beautiful. I enjoyed every second of their screentime.

In conclusion I would like to say that I love stories about hopeless romantics and splendid parties, but I think I’ve got enough of “The Great Gatsby” in the past six months. But I would love to return to this story in any shape or form in the future. 

Polina Khachaturova