The Great Gatsby

Because no one ever accused Baz Luhrmann of being subtle....

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann

Released: 2013

Staring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, & Elizabeth Debicki

Rated: PG-13

Times Viewed: 1

  We have been awaiting this film for quite some time, oh yes we have. It seemed every time we were teased with the promise that it was near it's release date, Gatsby would get pushed back even farther. With all the drama surrounding the nearly six month delay I can say old spot, it was worth the wait.

Baz Luhrmann's adaption of The Great Gatsby not only stays true to the book, but infuses the energy and spirit of the jazz age through out every frame, costume, and song. 

One of the first stills released, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo Dicaprio, Carrey Mulligan, & Joel Edgerton in "The Great Gatsby"

  So far Gatsby hasn't been the hit with critics as many thought it would be. But why? Majority of reactions can be summed up in this quote from a review by David Denby 

    

     "Luhrmann’s vulgarity is designed to win over the young audience, and it suggests that he’s less a filmmaker than a music-video director with endless resources and a stunning absence of taste."

         

    Ouch, David, Ouch. 

  

First of all I'd like to ask...Have any of these reviewers seen Moulin Rouge? A fabulous feast for the senses and successful with a wide range of audiences, I can not only see, but feel Baz Luhrmann's presence in Gatsby just as strongly as in Moulin Rouge! Over the top, lavish musical productions is what Baz Luhrmann DOES. That's his creative style. As with any great director, Chris Nolan to Woody Allen, there is a definite style and creative choices that are made that make that director one of notoriety. When I see words like "vulgarity" and "absence of taste" associated with Baz I truly question wether these critics knew what they were getting in to when they entered Gatsby. 

  

  Now, had Baz deviated far from the original source material, THAT would garner scrutiny and scorn. But when a film stays so true to the novel, and clearly expresses F. Scott Fitzgerald's commentary on the Jazz Age I see nothing wrong. I find his over the top production enjoyable because through it he uses Fitzgerald's own words to tell this tale. I mean this quite literally, most of the movie is word for word from the book. And there is a reason The Great Gatsby is THE great American novel. 

Statue of F. Scott Fitzgerald (Rice Park in St. Paul)- taken by yours truly.

  The Great Gatsby is not a love story, I mean it is but  let's put on our freshman high school caps and analyze what this story is about. The Great Gatsby is MINNESOTA author F. Scott Fitzgerald's critique of his own generation. On the outside it seems all about the glitz and glamour. Cheap booze and fast women. Soaring stalks and underground parties. Deep down though, Fitzgerald see a generation decomposing from within. No new thoughts. No progression. No hope. The Great Gatsby is a commentary on basically everything Fitzgerald thought was wrong with the 20's. Old money vs. New money, corruption of young bright minds and so one. Fitzgerald focus' on the positives through the character of Gatsby who represents hope and the American Dream. I can honestly say since I read it in eighth grade, The Great Gatsby has been one of my favorite books. If you haven't read it, buck up and do it....it's only 218 pages.

  Back to the film. Everything that Fitzgerald so passionately put in his novel, Baz puts into the film and illustrates with vivid imagery and narration. The few changes Baz incorporates only aid the ORIGINAL story and justifies the narration throughout the film. 

Now that I'm done boring you with my obsessive analysis (even though I love analysis) I'll get to the pretty parts. 

  This movie is visually intoxicating. The pristine colors, sparkle and shine of each and every frame envelope the audience in the world of Gatsby. I said before, some critics are calling it vulgar and tasteless but it's the excitement, the expensiveness, and the lavish lives lived in the 20's that Luhrmann is trying so hard to communicate with the audiences. And for me it worked! By using such saturated colors, shining diamond accessories and rich materials there was not a dull moment therefore no time for me to become distracted from the story. In my opinion, the more I have to look at in a film, the more entranced and focused I'll be. Perhaps for some critics it's the exact opposite, perhaps it's my theatrical background, but I loved the design production on this film.

Director Baz Luhrmann on the set of "The Great Gatsby"

  Now you all know I have a long standing love hate relationship with CGI/3D. When it's needed USE it, when it's not, GET IT THE HECK AWAY. In Gatsby, the 3D and CGI work MADE this film. You're not just watching party goers bustled through a corridor straining to join the festivities, you ARE one of those party goers. These party scenes are where the 3D is truly justified; with flying confetti and popping champagne bottles the effect was mesmerizing and exciting!  

"I thought you knew old sport! I'm afraid I'm not a very good host...I'm Gatsby"
And the entire theater internally screamed.

The Music

  I, as many did, reacted rather hesitantly when I discover hip-hop star Jay-Z would be producing the music for Gatsby. Don't get me wrong, over the years I've expanded my musical tastes and Jay-Z is actually now a favorite of mine as far as hip-hop goes, but it was just the idea of him working with the iconic music of the 20's that concerned me. However, when I finally heard a sample from the film all my reserves were blown away. I am a huge fan of post juke box swing and jazz that has been popping up from the likes of Parov Stelar ect. and the music of Gatsby seemed to follow the same lines. By blending classics like "Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Go That Swing" "Ain't Misbehaving" "Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" with modern club beats, Jay-Z creates a sound that shows the younger audiences the energy felt by the people of the Jazz Age. I know that energy because the 1920's is one of my favorite time periods musically, but in today's generation, there are so few young people who are aware of how amazing and vivacious the music was in the 20's.  Craig Armstrong also contributes a BEAUTIFUL original score that I'll look forward to purchasing as well. Armstrong is a clever devil utilizing not only modern, but classical tunes into the score. The use of "Toccata and Fudge in D minor" as the party goers enter Gatsby's house and George Gershwin's, who I might add is the original fuser of classical music and modern jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" to reveal our hero were definite high points that I looved.  Here's a sampler of some of the music used in the film. I highly suggest that you purchase it for yourself. It'll have to dancing like it's 1922 for sure.

The Costumes

  Costumes, uh Costumes were BEAUTIFUL! As with many period pieces, designers choose to incorporate either a later or earlier decade along with the one they're working in i.e. my review of Anna Karenina. Catherine Martin (Baz Luhrmann's wife) was not only the costume designer, but head of the production design. This, I believe, is why the film had such a great continuity to it. Costumes, in my opinion are second players to all the actors; dress one character incorrectly and it can throw off not only the character, but the whole show. The costumes of Gatsby, like the music, has a taste of modern edge. The reason? Catherine Martin collaborated with Miuccia Prada!

   The colors as I mentioned before are brilliant, and also the use of accessories and make-up; it's almost like all the 1920's themed shoots Vogue as ever done have exploded in mansion. And I loved it. The amount of time and effort to creating, producing and clothing that many extras must have been colossal. Not to mention hair and make-up as well...and there were no half-assed jobs. I look for that a lot in period piece films, especially during large party or ball scenes. Gatsby's costume and make-up department went all out, didn't miss a fingernail flawless. I wish beyond wish I could get a Polaroid of each extra in full blow costume and hair because there were soo many and they were all soo good I want to see each one in detail. 

  Look how cute! I want to married to an overly theatric (and actually quite attractive) director and make costumes for his lavish films!

The continuity in the Production Design for The Great Gatsby is incredible and I really do hope it's enough to gain it an Academy Award for Costume and Production Design...Or a nomination at least!

The Ensemble

Everyone (with the exception of Tobey Maguire) did how I expected them to do! Quite brilliantly. 

  Leo is, of course, spot on. He brings not only the pomp to Gatsby, but also the humanity that is so desperately important to his character. For those saying he's going to get an Oscar nom...sorry I don't foresee that happening. If it didn't get one for THE BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE of the year in Django, I highly doubt he'll be recognized for Gatsby. Trust me, I want Leo to win an Oscar probably more than most, but it won't be with this role. 

  Carrey Mulligan...good, solid. She doesn't make Daisy as much of a ditz as Mia Farrow did in the 1974 production, which is such a relief, but she doesn't make her over likable either. Which is also good. We are NOT suppose to LIKE Daisy. I see all this "Channel you're inner Daisy" online and I just keep thinking NO! She is the rotted core of the corrupted, decomposing apple that is the 1920's Jazz Age. So no, you do not want to be like Daisy....just saying...I'd rather be like Jordan...she's not much better, but I always connected with her in the book. 

Super sassy, somewhat detached and a little bit sneaky

  Joel Edgerton where do you hide? I mean really, I love you in pretty much everthing (WARRIOR!) then you hide away and reappear to my delight a year later! So odd...Edgerton is physical and chose the perfect disposition for the character. He is exactly how I envisioned him in the book. 

Secret brothers. Jason Clake & Joel Edgerton

Then we have discount Joel Edgerton, Jason Clarke who is ALSO almost always brilliant. You and Joel Edgerton need to stop doing films together (Zero Dark Thirty) I always get you two confused! 

But on a seriously, everyone in this film was EXACTLY how I envisioned them in the book. Even Tobey Maguire character. When I heard Maguire was cast as leading man Nick Caraway I thought 'NOOOOOO!' Because, well solely because of Spiderman. I didn't want Spiderman as the most important character in the film! Thankfully, as he did in Seabiscuit, Tobey surprised me! Character was spot on. There was an innocence but also enough of a devil in him to go along with the party, but make it believable. In the end I really enjoyed his performance. 

Final Thoughts 

  For once, I'm have to arduously disagree with many critics on their harsh treatment of The Great Gatsby. This film is a treat for the senses and an experience that really must be enjoyed in a large theater in 3D Trust me old sport, it'll be well worth your money. Baz Luhrmann returns to the theatrically arousing style of film making that made him such a great success. He uses the source material expertly and blends the magic of the old world with the technology of the new. I hope to soon see The Great Gatsby a second time and relish in it's splendor and innovation. They say it's a film that only young audiences will enjoy? Good. Because maybe, just maybe that love for the movie will spark a love for the original novel and the more young people reading classic literature the better. I see nothing wrong with a film that has a wider appeal to the younger audiences, especially if it's one like The Great Gatsby.