***THE GREAT GATSBY (1974, Widescreen, English, Subtitled, 143 min): Robert Redford is an interesting casting choice as Gatsby, the millionaire isolated in his mansion, still dreaming of the woman he lost. And Sam Waterston is perfect as the narrator, Nick, who brings the dream girl Daisy Buchanan back to Gatsby. No, the problem seems to be that director Jack Clayton fell in love with the flapper dresses and the party scenes and the Jazz Age tunes, ending up with a Classics Illustrated version of a great book rather than a fresh, organic take on the text. While Redford grows more quietly intriguing in the film, Mia Farrow's pallid performance as Daisy leaves you wondering why Gatsby, or anyone else, should care so much about his grand passion. The film won two Oscars for costumes and musical score ***BIOGRAPHY (A&E, 1999, Full Screen, English, 100 min): Robert Redford has dazzled movie audiences for nearly 40 years, but who-s the man behind the Greek-god looks? This intimate portrait explores Redford's early years of rebellion; the woman who turned his life around; the passion for set design that led him to acting; his roles in such classics as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting"; and his fierce determination to keep his private life private. (Total running time 4 hrs 03 min)
