The Great Gatsby (2013)

F. Scott Fitzgerald probably had a vision when he penned his famous book read by middle-to-high schoolers everywhere, The Great Gatsby.
It probably didn't involve wild and crazy parties inspired by the current club scene and his doppelganger writing this story in Arkham Asylum.
Which pretty much sums up the version that Baz Lehrman, of "Moulin Rouge" fame, has done.
Toby Maguire is a new guy in 1920s New York hoping to strike it rich in the big city. His enigmatic neighbor, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, uses his help to try to get back in the good graces of his cousin, Daisy. Only one problem: she's already married to a wealthy bloke. So it's an uphill battle as Toby Maguire, along with the audience, watches this "great" Gatsby try to woo a woman who's technically already spoken for. 
This film was hyped up so much as a great revision of a classic. As with many of the Baz Lehrman movies I've seen, this is BIG on spectacle. Every shot is so artistic and great to look at that you forget the story and feel like it's a kind of a fun ride! Then the drama starts and the fun ceases quite abruptly.
As was mentioned before, Leonardo DiCaprio's character is a mysterious loner who, while letting thousands invade his house every weekend for funtimes, nobody's actually seen. That is until he reveals himself to Toby and pretty much treats him like a BFF from then on. And while he is portrayed as a suave, cool-headed, mystery man, that illusion is broken pretty quickly as the film progresses. Toby Maguire first introduces him to his present-day therapist as "the most hopeful man he's ever known." Uh nope. There is a fine line between hopeful and delusional and Gatsby takes a flying leap across it. It really doesn't help that the Daisy character leads him on but at the same time doesn't even really know what she wants herself. The husband's having an affair anyway and everybody knows it. Does she get with Gatsby not only because of past affections but because of retaliation and revenge? Who knows really?
Overall, the movie has great atmosphere, music, and visuals, but falls a little on the flat side when it comes to well-developed characters and plot.

Huh...one for the conspiracy nuts.