Now Showing: Ecstasy

 

Ecstasy

Genre: Drama / Romance

Director: Megan Park

Writer: Diane Esposito

Based on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dominic Sessa, Rudy Pankow, Angourie Rice, Halle Bailey, Manny Montana, Casper Van Dien, Leonor Varela

Plot: Nick Carson (Dominic Sessa) steps out of a sleek black car in front of an impressive suburban mansion in Long Island, New York. He is greeted by his uncle Scott Black (Casper Van Dien) and his aunt Eva Blake (Leonor Varela), who are standing at the front steps. Scott warmly greets Nick, his sister's son. Nick's cousin, Daisy Blake (Jenna Ortega), appears from behind her parents. Scott asks Daisy to help get Nick settled. 

That night, Nick sits through an awkward family dinner in the Blake family's formal dining room. Scott asks how Nick feels about finishing off the rest of the school year at a new school. Nick is uneasy about it, but his parents felt it would be best for him to complete the year in the United States while they are overseas. Eva chimes in, commenting that the diplomatic work of Nick's parents can be quite demanding as she pours herself a large glass of red wine. Scott makes Daisy promise to help Nick out on his first day of school at West Egg High.

After dinner, Nick stands on the balcony of his bedroom, observing the grand mansion across the way throwing a party. Nick sees Daisy sneak out of the house and go toward  the party, so Nick does the same and follows her over. At the party, Nick navigates through a sea of beautiful young people dancing under strobe lights. The music is thumping and Nick notices small groups discreetly exchanging ecstasy pills. Nick watches as Daisy dances provocatively with Tom Bennett (Rudy Pankow). Nick is startled by the party's house, Jay Gatsby (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), whose enigmatic presence takes Nick by surprise. Jay introduces himself to Nick as the host of the party and owner of the house. Nick is impressed that someone so young could own such a house and assumes his parents must really own it. Jay comments to Nick that she is beautiful. Nick replies that she's his cousin. Jay gives Nick a pat on the back and tells him to enjoy himself - "Mi casa es su casa". Jay looks down at Daisy dancing. 

On Nick's first day at West Egg High, Daisy shows him around the school's bustling courtyard, introducing him to her boyfriend Tom and her best friend Jordan Barker (Angourie Rice). After school, Daisy confesses to Nick that she was recently accepted to Cornell University but she hasn't told anyone yet. Nick asks why she's keeping it a secret and why she's telling him. Daisy confesses that she's bored with what she has and feels like she is expected to go to an Ivy League school, but thinks that will just be more of the same. 

Jay invites Nick over to his house. Nick, not sure what to expect, decides to go because he simply doesn't have anything better to do. Jay asks Nick for a favor - he wants his help winning Daisy's heart. Nick doesn't know what to say. Jay explains that he has had a crush on Daisy since they went to the same summer camp in middle school. Nick agrees, but wants to know the truth about Jay. Nick asks if the house is really Jay's. Jay reveals to Nick that it is - the house, the parties, the house - all his. Nick asks how that's possible. Jay confides in Nick that he sells ecstasy. Jay goes on to explain that his parents died a couple years prior, but he wanted to keep the house as the last semblance of life with his family, so he took to dealing drugs in order to afford to keep it. Nick is stunned at the revelation. 

Tom is in a dimly lit corner of the school's lock rooms with Maya Willis (Halle Bailey). She is drawn in by Tom's charisma. She says they shouldn't be doing anything, but Tom simply pulls her closer as he kisses her. Tom begins undressing Maya and lays her down on a bench in the locker room. Maya asks what they should do if Daisy ever finds out about their affair. Tom tells her not to worry about things that will never happen as he kisses her.

Nick helps arrange secret meetings between Jay and Daisy in secluded spots around West Egg, Long Island, away from prying eyes of classmates. On a drive to the city they talk about their past, present and future. Jay takes Daisy to a night club in the city where Jay's connections allow them VIP access. After dancing at the club, the two sit back down in the VIP lounge. Daisy finds herself drawn to Jay's bad boy persona, confiding that she has never felt as alive as she does when she is with him.

Jordan and Nick spend some time together at school in journalism class. Jordan isn't particularly interested in the class, but does view it as an easy good grade. Nick meanwhile enjoys writing stories for the low-rent school paper. While the journalism class teacher drones on about punctuation of special characters, Jordan asks Nick to the prom. Nick, believing that Jordan has romantic feelings for him immediately agrees with excitement. 

In Manhattan, Jay meets in the backroom of a high-end restaurant with Meyer Wolfsheim (Manny Montana), his ecstasy supplier. Jay asks for a bit more ecstasy than usual, but for the same price he usually pays. Meyer is incredulous, but Jay works to convince Meyer that he will be able to move a lot of product during the prom and will cut Meyer in on any profits. Meyer contemplates the proposition before accepting, but makes it clear that if Jay screws him over, things won't go well for him.

Jay and Daisy find refuge in Jay's bedroom. Their warm embrace starts with kissing before growing more passionate. Daisy and Jay strip off their clothes and make love under the silk sheets of Jay's bed.

Tom sulks, becoming suspicious of Daisy's behavior. After spotting her with Jay from a distance, he begins investigating Jay. Conversations he has with other West Egg High students start to reveal whispers of Jay's ecstasy dealings. Tom becomes determined to try to prove Jay is no good for Daisy.

West Egg High School's senior prom is underway. Daisy arrives with Tom, but has planned to meet with Jay after the dance. Meanwhile, Jay conducts business, selling ecstasy to other students. Jordan and Nick arrive together as well. Nick tries to kiss Jordan on the dance floor, but she turns away, accepting the kiss on the cheek instead. During a slow dance, Tom and Daisy dance together. Maya watches from a distance, jealous of the attention Daisy gets from Tom. Tom catches a glimpse of Jay nearby and is furious. He stops his dance with Daisy to confront Jay, loudly revealing Jay's drug dealings to Daisy and the rest of the students. The prom descends into chaos. Daisy, overwhelmed, leaves with Jay. Tom, driven by rage, follows after them. Maya follows as well to console Tom to try to finally win his heart and not just his body. 

 

Daisy drives Jay's car away from the dance, speeding through the parking lot with reckless abandon. Daisy crashes the car into Maya, sending her flying through the air violently. Daisy slams on the brakes. She and Jay both look behind the vehicle and see Maya's lifeless body in the parking lot. In a panic, Daisy speeds away as police lights flash, casting red and blue spotlights on the area. 

Back at home, Daisy confides in Nick that she doesn't know what to do. Nick awkwardly comforts Daisy without saying a word. Through the window, they see cop cars pull up in front of Jay's mansion. They watch as Jay is handcuffed and led away, arrested for the hit and run death of Maya.

Daisy visits Jay in jail, their faces separated by glass. Tears stream down Daisy's face as she apologizes. Jay reveals that the police found a stash of ecstasy in his house when they arrested him, so he's in deeper trouble than just the accident. Daisy feels that everything was all her fault. Jay tells Daisy that it is not her all fault - they all made choices.

Nick meets up with Jordan, bringing her flowers. Jordan confesses to Nick that she asked him to the prom to hide her sexuality from her conservative parents - she is actually a lesbian. Nick is hurt at first, but accepts and understands Jordan's revelation.

With the school year at an end, Nick begins packing his bags to join his parents overseas. He thanks Uncle Scott and Aunt Eva for their hospitality. He gives Daisy a hug, reminding her not to beat herself up about what has happened in the past. 

Six months later, Daisy is excelling in college at Dartmouth. She has a video call with Jay in prison, where he tells her that he is happy that she is doing so well.