An alcoholic writer reminisces about mad parties organized by a mysterious millionaire.

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Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), an alcoholic writer, is literally sickened by people in general and society in particular. On the advice of his doctor, he looks back to the last years when alcohol was still fun. He starts to write about this prosperous period when, not far from New York, he got to know his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), who spent part of his wealth on exquisite, crazy parties at his Long Island mansion – during a time when the whole city drowned itself in a debauchery of music, dance and Prohibition alcohol. Despite a past weighed down by sinister events and the colossal fortune that separates Gatsby from Nick, the two become friends. Then Gatsby calls on him to ask Nick's cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) – whom the tycoon loved when he was poor – for tea, where he hopes his millions will help rekindle her love for him...

Baz Luhrmann throws an extravagant 1920's party in America, directing festive scenes to an anachronistic soundtrack, which is decidedly gripping. But that's the movie's greatest strength. The rest is more sad than mad. The impression is of racing wildly through a revolving set at the wheel of a racecar, all in annoying 3D. The final effect is dizzying, leaving viewers feeling like they've been on a drinking binge and are now faced with a nasty hangover.