Gatsby

Gatsby – by Baz Luhmann
Gatsby
In the film ‘Gatsby’ directed by Baz Luhmann I have studied important themes that are being portrayed in this film. Such as Unconditional Love, Betrayal, Hope, Wealth and Living the American Dream. These key themes all lead up to deception, denial and the fatal death of Jay Gatsby. In this essay I will be writing about 3 main themes; Obsessive/Childish Love, Betrayal and Hope
The first theme I will be writing about is the theme of Unconditional Love between the characters of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. In this film the director uses significant verbal and visual techniques to give each scene its meaningful message and theme. The character who mainly portrays the theme of unconditional Love is Jay Gatsby. One of the main scenes that portray the theme of Unconditional Love is when Gatsby reveals his past to Nick on the pier and explains everything about his life and the meaning behind all these lavish parties he throws every night. The usage of dark colors and the cloud behind Gatsby whilst he was talking shows how his Unconditional Love for Daisy almost seems like a Fantasy. When Gatsby says “I thought all my life with daisy in it, trying to figure out how to marry and struggle along, on so many dollars a month" this obviously portrays the theme of Unconditional Love, staying true was what he had planned to get Daisy back.
The second theme that is significant in the film ‘Gatsby’ is the theme of Betrayal presented by Daisy’s betrayal to Gatsby. The theme of betrayal eventually revealed how Daisy and Tom were really like in the end “They were carless people Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money….” Gatsby death scene is relevant to the theme of Betrayal. The scene before Gatsby’s death, it shows a close up shot of Daisy’s hand about to pick up the phone, promising to call Gatsby. It then shows a close up of Gatsby while coming out of the pool, while the phone is ringing in the background making is seem as if it were Daisy that called. The camera then shows a wide shot of Gatsby’s butler answering the phone quoting “I know Mr. Gatsby will be happy that you called” Gatsby staring over in to Daisy’s house overwhelmed with Joy thinking that she had kept her promise, he was shot from behind. Then again the camera shows a close up shot of Daisy’s hand, but instead of having the courage to call Gatsby as she promised she decided not to. This without a doubt showed her betrayal towards Gatsby. After Gatsby’s death Nick was in desperate need of help from his family and friends to show up to Gatsby’s funeral. Everyone he once called friend and who always attended his lavish parties showed no respect and never turned up to his funeral. What I would say betrayed Gatsby the most was when the love of his life Daisy Buchanan did not attend his funeral, but chose to move away instead. Obviously showing that she had chosen Tom over Gatsby which meant what she had with Gatsby meant nothing. The lyrics ‘A little party never killed no body’ by Fergie played in the beginning of the film is founded on irony. This is because Gatsby throws all these lavish parties and in time dies at the end.
The theme of Hope is one of the most important themes there is in the film ‘Gatsby’