The Great Gatsby (1974)

Featured Audience Ratings

• AJ V

  
  I haven't read the book, but the story was only interesting to me towards the end. The rest was pretty boring. There are a lot of good actors in this movie, though, so it's okay.

• Jeremy S

  
  Great book crumy movie, they completely missed the plot. Redford was good though, as always.

• Tim S

  
  A very nice film. Another I'll have to revisit again someday.

• Jennifer D

  
  Watched it for English extra credit. Pretty decent adaptation.

• jay n

  
  Well appointed but ponderous version of classic tale. Redford and Farrow fit their parts well physically but lack chemistry, the sets are gorgeous but the film just sort of chugs along keeping its distance from the audience so when tradegy occurs its at a remove. Sam Waterson turns in… More
  Well appointed but ponderous version of classic tale. Redford and Farrow fit their parts well physically but lack chemistry, the sets are gorgeous but the film just sort of chugs along keeping its distance from the audience so when tradegy occurs its at a remove. Sam Waterson turns in a fine performance as tha narrator.

• Nani V

  
  I remember reading this book for my English class junior year, it wasn't so bad. We also had to watch the movie afterwards, which I enjoyed.

• Jennifer X

  
  Even the hotness of 70s Robert Redford didn't make up for the failure that was this movie.

• Lanning :

  
  Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning--<p> So we beat on, boats against the current, borne… More
  Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning--<p> So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. <p> I tell you, flixsters, depending on what kind of a day it's been, this may ring all too true : ) <p> My favorite Redford movie of all, and an interesting adaptation of one of my favorite novels, this will definitely not prove to be everyone's cup of tea. Farrow is a surprisingly good choice to bring Daisy Buchanan to life, falteringly balancing a faded idea of romance against the burgeoning tide of privileged ennui and shallow nonchalance. The supporting cast is stunning all-around, and Sam Waterston, as the framing narrative voice and point-of-view, plays Gatsby's only real friend to perfection. The pool scene, paced to a devastating climax, slowly plays out a universal worst fear of pursing love that is in reality permanently lost to begin with. The soundtrack, punctuated by versions of "What'll I Do?", is haunting and unforgettable. <p> In those occasional gloomier moments, I sometimes believe I am Nick Carraway's Gatsby--minus the money : )

• Drew S

  
  Overrated book, decent movie.

• danny d

  
  i didnt like it when i saw it about 10 years ago, but i want to see it now that i appreciate the era and fitzgerald more

• Sarah G

  
  Had to watch this for our English lit exam. The film is pretty much like the book and most of the characters are like what Fitzgerald wrote in his book. Robert redford really was made for the role of Gatsby, Mia farrow, well a little over the top maybe but that was Daisy in the… More
  Had to watch this for our English lit exam. The film is pretty much like the book and most of the characters are like what Fitzgerald wrote in his book. Robert redford really was made for the role of Gatsby, Mia farrow, well a little over the top maybe but that was Daisy in the book.

• George R

  
  A movie that stays true to it's source, mostly. In other words, it's the exact same boring, corny-ass crap as the original source. Now, I will point out that I did not like "The Great Gatsby" book at all. It was boring, filled with bland dialogue, &… More
  A movie that stays true to it's source, mostly. In other words, it's the exact same boring, corny-ass crap as the original source. Now, I will point out that I did not like "The Great Gatsby" book at all. It was boring, filled with bland dialogue, & realistic, yet somewhat likable asshole characters. Oh but this movie, I'm sorry, it is surprisingly worse than the book, & ten times more boring. I swear when we watched this movie in my literature class, I almost fell asleep. This could possibly cure my insomnia. The best way to describe this movie is a film with the same characters reciting the exact same lines as the book. And another way to put this film so gently for you is nothing more than a bad porn film. Cast/Acting: The only actor I recognize in this movie, but didn't then, is Sam Waterston from Law & Order. That's pretty much it. The rest of the cast members in here, I don't recognize, & I doubt most will. And to make it simple, the casting choices were pretty much terrible. None of the actors in here looked anything like their characters. As for each of their performances, they were either bland or dreadful or under-dramatic. Robert Redford (Gatsby) looked bored & constipated throughout the whole movie. Mia Farrow (Daisy) had her voice terribly dubbed, & that's not even the problem, her dubbing was not only bad, but the performance she gave was just bland, under-dramatic, & laughable. Sam Waterston (Nick) gave a boring performance, & his narration was just garbage. The same goes for everyone else. And to finish this off, Karen Black (Myrtle) played her role almost fine, but her acting seemed way to over dramatic, & almost makes me wonder if she really was crazy & not her own character. Characters: Like in the original book, the characters are all realistic, but they remain almost the same assholes & idiots as well. Tom is nothing more than a bitch. Daisy is a clueless whore. Myrtle is also a whore, but a crazy-ass one. George is an ignorant dumbass. Jordan, I can't talk crap on her because she was probably the only one I truly liked, but her role was minor, & she was actually more beautiful than Daisy. And let's admit it, in the end, if not throughout the whole movie, Nick & Gatsby were gay for each other. Ain't I right? Plot/Story: The story & plot stay the same as the book; Gatsby wants Daisy to leave her asshole husband, Tom, & come with him. While Nick tries to help out, only he's mostly useless. So yeah, this is almost a typical romantic drama. But as I stated above, this movie was pretty much nothing more than a bad porn film with the characters reading the lines from the book. Dialogue: Do I really have to say it again? The dialogue, if I remember correctly, is the same damn words taken from the book, & recited in the most bland ways by the actors. Chemistry: There is more chemistry between Nick & Gatsby than there is between Gatsby & Daisy, & Tom & Daisy. Enough said. How true it is to it's source: This movie is true & loyal to it's source, unlike other movies that only took 3% of the book & made it into trash (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). But it is a little too true. They kept the same formula, dialogue, & script, not bothering to improve on a few things. Heck, they removed one character, & as well as the library scene in Gatsby's house. But I can't complain, not every movie can fit everything from the book. So all in all, this movie may appeal to your parents, for it's pretty much pornography for your own mom, but it won't appeal to others as much. The book is a fine piece of American literature, it is, but it's just boring, & I hated it. You're better off reading the book than watching the movie. Hopefully, the re-adaption directed by Baz Luhrnamm, & starring Leonardo DiCaprio (despite my loathing towards him) will do a better job.

• Will T

  
  True to story, but that doesn't mean it translates to the screen well.... boring..... as hell...

• Joseph E

  
  Great Acting equals Timeless Classic.

• Mike T

  
  The shot composition is absolutely fantastic and the direction is undoubtedly solid, but this film draws disappointingly weak performances from a great cast. Redford's character is the only one acted to satisfaction.

• Audrey L

  
  Wonderful adaptation of Fitzgerald's cumbersome book.Robert Redford was sublime,and Mia Farrow demonstrates her appealing feminine fragility,with a twist of manipulative vixen.

• Leo L

  
  Great!

Read all 17 featured audience ratings