The Great Gatsby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Rich guy throws a bunch of parties to woo a girl who’s already married, and it ends with someone getting shot because rich people problems.

🍿 The Great Gatsby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Nick Carraway’s Arrival and Introduction to Long Island Society

Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest, moves to Long Island in the summer of 1922 to learn the bond business. He finds himself living next door to Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire known for his lavish parties. Nick also reconnects with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who lives across the bay with her wealthy and arrogant husband, Tom.

Gatsby’s Lavish Parties and Mysterious Persona

Nick attends one of Gatsby’s extravagant parties and is intrigued by the elusive host. He learns that Gatsby’s wealth is new and that he seems to be longing for something or someone. Nick begins a friendship with Gatsby, who reveals his true motive: to reunite with Daisy, whom he loved five years prior before going off to war.

Reunion of Gatsby and Daisy

Gatsby enlists Nick’s help in arranging a meeting with Daisy. The reunion is initially awkward, but the two rekindle their romance. Gatsby shows Daisy his opulent mansion and possessions, hoping to impress her with his wealth and success, all acquired to win her back. This begins an affair that threatens to disrupt Daisy’s marriage to Tom.

Confrontation and Tragedy

The affair becomes increasingly fraught with tension. During a visit to New York City, Tom confronts Gatsby about his past and the source of his wealth, revealing that Gatsby’s fortune comes from illegal bootlegging. Daisy is torn between her love for Gatsby and her loyalty to Tom. Later, Daisy accidentally kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress, while driving Gatsby’s car. Gatsby takes the blame to protect Daisy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jay Gatsby (Robert Redford): A mysterious, nouveau riche man obsessed with reclaiming his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, and achieving the American Dream.
• Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow): A beautiful but shallow socialite torn between her love for Gatsby and the security of her marriage to Tom.
• Tom Buchanan (Bruce Dern): Daisy’s wealthy and arrogant husband, embodying the established upper class and its careless disregard for others.
• Nick Carraway (Sam Waterston): A young Midwesterner and narrator of the story, who becomes entangled in the lives and dramas of Gatsby and the Buchanans.
• Myrtle Wilson (Karen Black): Tom’s passionate but tragic mistress, representing the lower class and its yearning for a better life.
• Jordan Baker (Lois Chiles): A cynical and independent professional golfer, representing the ‘new woman’ of the Roaring Twenties.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Daisy Buchanan: “I hope she grows up to be a pretty little fool. That’s about the best a girl can hope for these days, to be a pretty little fool.” – Daisy says this expressing her cynicism about the limited options and expectations for women in that era.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6.5M
• Domestic Gross: $20.6M
• Worldwide Gross: $20.6M

💥 The Great Gatsby Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this film for the first time, and I was totally swept away by the costumes and the parties! The way they brought the 1920s to life was amazing. I always thought Redford was perfect as Gatsby, capturing that mysterious charm. But honestly, I struggled to connect with Daisy. I was left feeling like she wasn’t worthy of Gatsby’s dreams. Still, the movie’s visuals and that haunting music made it a memorable experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic literature adaptations.”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas set in the Roaring Twenties.”
  • “Those who appreciate visually stunning films with intricate costume and set design.”
  • “Robert Redford and Mia Farrow fans.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Adultery and infidelity.”
  • “Violence and death.”
  • “Mature themes related to wealth, class, and social status.”
  • “Mild language.”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Lavish sets and costumes evoke the Roaring Twenties, but the slow pacing and uneven performances hold this adaptation back. While visually stunning, the emotional core of Fitzgerald’s novel gets somewhat lost in translation. The film is still worth a watch for its production design and period atmosphere.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “This version tries to stay very true to the roots of the story. It’s greatest detriment is its lavish budget, made evident from scenery and costuming. Coppola does an admirable job with his script, but it is impossible to fail to realize that he borrowed heavily from the source material, often citing it verbatim.
• Metacritic: “While the film boasts beautiful visuals and captures the extravagance of the era, the performances lack depth. Redford is charming as Gatsby, but Farrow fails to capture the complexity of Daisy, making the romance feel unconvincing. Overall, it’s a visually appealing but emotionally hollow adaptation.

Audience Reactions

Stunning visuals and costumes bring the Roaring Twenties to life.: Viewers praise the film’s aesthetic appeal and faithful recreation of the 1920s setting.

Robert Redford is perfect as the enigmatic Jay Gatsby.: Many agree that Redford embodies the charm and mystery of the title character.

Overall Consensus: While praised for its visuals and Redford’s performance, this adaptation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ receives mixed reviews, with some finding the emotional core lacking and Daisy’s character unconvincing.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 1975
2. Academy Award (Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score)- 1975
3. Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture)- 1975

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mia Farrow was pregnant during filming, which led to the use of close-up shots and flowing costumes to conceal her pregnancy.”
• “Francis Ford Coppola disowned the screenplay because he felt the movie adaptation ruined his work.”
• “Tom Ewell played a small part at the cemetery near the end in the movie’s original theatrical release. Several weeks into the run, theaters were sent a new last reel from which Tom Ewell’s part had been removed.”
• “Theoni V. Aldredge won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Great Gatsby?

The 1974 adaptation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential streaming options. Unfortunately, it’s less commonly found on subscription-based streaming services at this time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Great Gatsby, you might like these similar films:

• The Age of Innocence (1993): Explores similar themes of societal constraints, forbidden love, and the clash between desire and social expectations within wealthy society.
• A Place in the Sun (1951): Features a love triangle, social climbing, and the tragic consequences of chasing a dream, reflecting similar themes of ambition and class differences.
• Bright Young Things (2003): Captures the hedonistic and decadent lifestyle of the wealthy elite during the interwar period in London, similar to the roaring twenties depicted in The Great Gatsby.

🛒 The Great Gatsby Related Products

• The Great Gatsby [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘The Great Gatsby’ in stunning high definition. With enhanced visuals and sound, this Blu-ray edition brings the Roaring Twenties to life like never before. Perfect for revisiting this classic tale.
• The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald: Immerse yourself in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel that inspired the movie. Explore themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream through Fitzgerald’s captivating prose.
• 1920s Flapper Dress – Great Gatsby Inspired: Authentic 1920s flapper dress, perfect for themed parties. Step back into the roaring twenties and show off your Jazz Age style with this stunning garment.
• The Great Gatsby Soundtrack – The Roaring 20’s: Relive the movie’s vibrant atmosphere with this soundtrack. Featuring classic jazz tunes and original compositions, it’s the perfect backdrop for any Gatsby-themed gathering.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Great Gatsby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “What’ll I Do?” – performed by Irving Berlin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Great Gatsby – Thug Notes Summary and Analysis

Want a quick and entertaining rundown of The Great Gatsby? This Thug Notes summary breaks down the plot and themes in a way that’s both hilarious and insightful. Honestly, it’s the most fun way to understand this classic novel.

Great Gatsby: Great Books Explained

Ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind The Great Gatsby and its connection to the American Dream? This video dives into the book’s themes and historical context, perfect for anyone wanting to understand why this story still resonates today. I learned so much!

Understanding J. Gatsby | The Great Gatsby (2013) | Character Analysis

Trying to figure out who Jay Gatsby *really* is? This character analysis digs deep into his motivations and complexities. It’s surprisingly insightful and helped me appreciate the movie even more.

Did you know this about The Great Gatsby? #shorts

Want to impress your friends with some cool behind-the-scenes trivia about The Great Gatsby? This quick short is packed with interesting details you probably didn’t know. I definitely didn’t!

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