Gatsby (2013): Key Adaptations
Subverted Narrative
The film begins with the narrative being altered so that it doesn't flow chronologically like it does in the book and other film. For example, it begins by introducing the era on which the film is set i.e. by showing the parties, location, etc. Although this is only for a couple of minutes, the book and film don't include this and instead begin with Nick moving into his new house. This narrative also appears in other parts of the film (i.e. for a flashback) - you can argue that this doesn't exactly have a huge effect on the originality of the book, however the narrative may have become subverted purely for entertainment purposes.
Soundtrack Adapted for the Modern Audience
One of the main adaptations I noticed was how the soundtrack has been changed to arguably gratify the modern audience. For example, considering the film was set in the 1920s, you wouldn't expect the soundtrack to consist of artists such as Jay Z and even a song from the 'dub step' genre. Even at some points in the party, you can see how the soundtrack doesn't match what you see, as you see violins playing however there is pop-music for the soundtrack. Therefore, there is this theme of a non-diegetic soundtrack throughout the film. Does this change in music almost challenge or criticise Fitzgerald's intentions of the book?
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| Were Gatsby's parties really this huge? |
General exaggeration of Certain Aspects
Commonly found in film adaptations, you would expect certain aspects to be emphasised for a number of reasons. For example, we learn from the book that Gatsby throws parties, however you can argue not to as large extent like its shown in the film (i.e. thousands of people, entertainers, excessive fireworks, etc).
Nick's Character
This is the biggest change of character from the book to the film. The film begins with showing Nick's corrupt life where he is recovering from what we are hinted to an alcohol addiction. Which when reading the book, you learn that he has only been 'drunk' a couple of times, thus showing how his character's been changed. Additonally to me, I think that Nick's character has less importance in the film compared to the book. Although it is too narrated by him, it is harder to learn his character development than it is in the book, and it feels like you never actually learn much about Nick instead. For example, the beginning of the book starts with Nick talking about his dad - which isn't evident in the film. Therefore, you could argue that Nick's character may have been decharacterized.
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| Nick in 'Gatsby' (2013) |
Other Changes
I also researched online to see what the main changes were from the book to this film. Below are some key points which I found:
- Deprived relationship between Nick and Jordan. The book suggests that there is potential
romance, however this lacks within the film. Jordans character is generally quite bland and
unexplored compared to the book where she's portrayed as dishonest. Does this alter our opinions
on her?
- Change in Daisy. The book portrays her to be careless of what other character's opinions, however
the film also portrays almost a blank portrayal - making out that she is either thoughtless or doesn't
have a say.
- Mr.Wolfshiem secret door in the barbershop: Within the book we understand Nick is
introduced to Mr.Wolfshiem, however a secret party hidden in his barbershop? This is a prime
example of how the film is adapted to enhance this 'party' lifestyle and entertainment for the
audience.
- Character Stereotypes. Nick is almost converted into a villain as he basically tells Wilson to get
revenge on Gatsby for 'killing' his wife (although it was Daisy). This may've been adapted to add a
problematic situation for the narrative - helping to make the film more dramatical.
- Enhancement of drugs: The scene where Nick takes a 'pill' from Myrtle's friend, leading to a
party scene (when Tom is seeing Myrtle). This too isn't evident in the book, and may've been added
so that the modern audience can relate to (as the representation of drugs is conventional in films).
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| You can gain a understanding of Gatsby's homage from this picture, but would you expect him to look like this? |
Similarities
Nonetheless, there is a sense of nostalgia within the film (to me anyway) as well as most of the originality of the book evident in the film, such as:- Prohibition of alcohol
- Theme of deception (Tom and Myrtle, Gatsby and Daisy)
- Sense of materialism - Tom boasting about his money, Gatsby showing his of with his cars and
parties
- Gatsby's homage: Nick still looks up to Gatsby and was influenced by his life
- Symbolism of Doctor Eckleburg's eyes: evident in both the book and film
- The story and plot: Nothing major has been changed, only really the character's development
- A sense of security: The characters can be associated like they are in the book e.g. Gatsby saying
'old sport', Nick's narration, Tom's arrogance, etc.
- Many more similarities
I gained some ideas from the website below:
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Great-Gatsby-9-Big-Differences-Between-Book-Movie-37479-p5.html
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| This picture shows Tom smoking a cigar and you can gain a sense of his arrogance from his NVC - a similar persona to what you gain from the book |
Conclusion
To conclude, I generally quite enjoyed the film and felt that you can understand from watching the film what the original would've been like (however not as exaggerated). I feel that the changes made are mostly only minor and are used to make the film more interesting and dramatical, as some parts of the book did seem to loose drama. The characters too portray this sense of nostalgia and how you would expect them to be judging from reading the book. This applies for all of them apart from Gatsby himself in a way - to me it doesn't quite work out purely because he is played by Leonardo Dicaprio which is someone I would never expect to be Gatsby, as you wouldn't expect him to be so young.
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