Two years ago, on this blog, I questioned the wisdom of filming The Great Gatsby in 3D, and further, having Cary Mulligan as Daisy. Check it out here. 
Now that the film is in theatres, and has received less than positive reviews, I feel that my original apprehensions have been borne out. 
I have heard a bit of the soundtrack from the film, and think that having Jay-Z doing some of the music is rather discordant. I can get behind Bryan Ferry, ex of Roxy Music, doing some of his old songs like “Love is a Drug” as well as “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse, as jazz standards, since he’s done that before.
Have you seen the new Great Gatsby? What did you think? I might go see it, but I have to find some time!
Last week, I read someone describe Carey Mulligan on the cover of Vogue as looking like Jack Lemmon in "Some Like It Hot."
ReplyDeleteThat about sums up my thoughts on the movie.
Good morning Meg,
ReplyDeleteNo, I have not seen the movie, nor do I plan too. I felt as you did when the news came out and now that I have seen the previews it just seems like a movie I would not like.
I hope you are progressing on the project to name the presidents of your organization...still trying to figure out why some "bright spark" would take the plates off to begin with.
Have a great week, Elizabeth
I have not seen it, but the previews gave me the same feeling you describe. While visually stunning, the modern and very loud score was distracting and overwhelming to my senses. I do not understand that choice at all.
ReplyDeleteI love this post because it is very very interesting.Thanks you very much for shearing this article
ReplyDeleteThe sets are particularly amateurish, more Real Housewives of the Gold Coast than the actual precedents. Particularly unforgivable in the age of CGI.
ReplyDeleteSeeing it on Friday night... will let you know... xv
ReplyDeleteMeh is about all I can eek out. The only redeeming thing about this movie is that it exposes the Fitzgerald story to younger audiences. Ms Mulligan is underwhelming. But then the character of Daisy Buchanan is no peach either.
ReplyDeleteI am actually DYING to see this film. Any time you have a beloved "CLASSIC LITERATATURE" novel made into a movie, English Lit majors are going to be up-in-arms before they've even seen the film. And after we've all seen it? Well, one of the great things about reading a novel is that the READER'S imagination is responsible for casting, set design, sound effects, costume design, etc. Not a single once of us read The Great Gatsby exactly as F. Scott Fitzgerald envisioned it. What each of us experienced in reading that novel, or any novel, for that matter, was an intimate collaboration between the creative genius of Fitzgerald and our own imaginations, experiences, and sensibilities. So naturally when Meg goes to the theatre, the film won't have the same look or feel that she experienced when reading the novel, and it won't look like what I envisioned as I read the novel, either -- the film will look and feel the way the screenwriter and director experienced and envisioned the novel. So really, when we go to see Gatsby in the theatre, it's a unique opportunity to reread the novel through the filter of someone else's imagination and experience. If you look at it that way, like we're peeking into the mind of Baz Luhrman, then you won't be disappointed and you can just enjoy the voyeuristic thrill of enjoying one artist's masterpiece (Fitzgerald's) through the eyes of another artist (Director Luhrman).
ReplyDeleteAs for the rap music? Well, a movie's soundtrack is designed to forge connections with the audience and to elicit certain associations and emotional responses. In 2013, the actual music of the 1920s sounds pretty lame and old-fashioned to most people, but Jazz certainly didn't feel that way to people who lived through the social and cultural revolution that it was a part of in the '20s. My guess is that they wanted a musical soundtrack for the film that would feel as edgy and daring to viewers today as jazz music felt in the time period portrayed by the novel and film.
Plus and besides -- I HAVE to see this film, if only so I can enjoy the costumes! :-)
Meg - I saw the film over the weekend . . . and really enjoyed it. A few things from your review 1) it's not like the 3D technology was used in a 'amusement park' kind of way. For me it just expanded the depth of field of the images - and drew you in to the scenes. it's not like they were firing off champagne corks right into the audience. And in a slightly literary way - that 'added' depth of field also played into Gatsby's yearning - reaching toward the green light. Yes, that's kind of a stretch - but, it felt much more subtle than you might be thinking - when thinking in terms of 3D. 2) Carey Mulligan . . . is lovely. Daisy is such a flat character . . . even in the book. Most of the dramatic tension revolves around *which* incredibly wealthy man she's going to spend her life with . . . lol . . . so it's always been hard for me to connect with her. Carey feels bright and sad. All in all, a nice combo for Daisy. 3) The Score . . . is AMAZING. I agree with Rebecca, who commented just above me. It just makes everything feel so edgy and fresh and almost dangerous. Gangsters and Gasta Rap . . . I'm IN!
ReplyDeleteAnd . . . it IS a Baz Lurhmann film. Even more than it's a Fitzgerald story. He's clearly put his stamp on it . . . and made it into something fresh and current. Is it my favourite movie of the year . . . no. Not by a long shot. But, it's worth seeing on the big screen.
Cheers,
Scot
I could not imagine anyone more perfect for the part of Daisy than Mia Farrow, so I was a reluctant participant. Ended up loving the movie. The costumes were fabulous and DiCaprio's performance was subtle and so well done. Some things, like the music, were a bit odd, but they didn't distract from the story as I thought they would. Almost everyone who has played Gatsby has made him into such a lovable character - the underdog/self-made man that we are all pulling for - but he really is flawed in his single-mindedness and his quest for Daisy. That came through more in this version. I hope you will see the move because I would be interested in your opinion.
ReplyDeleteI liked it. The movie got a nice review in the NYT last weekend and it put it in a nice frame for me. To see it as a movie, only, and not in connection with all the emotion one might have wrapped up in the book (which is not my favorite Fitzgerald anyway) was a treat. As for sets, they seem spot on to me. Nick's cottage is charming. Gatsby's house was supposed to be over-the-top stage settish emptiness and it is. It was fun. The clothes are delicious.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm still trying to figure out why everyone else on earth thinks Leonardo di Caprio is a good actor. I don;t get it, never did.
ReplyDeleteMrs. B!
ReplyDeleteit is interesting that out of ALL of the opulence porn in the film - I TOO was most charmed by Nick's little cottage in West Egg.
Cheers,
Scot
I absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteI adored it. I can't stop thinking about the parties and costumes and incredible music. Di Caprio was like a dashing old-time Hollywood star, and Mulligan was mesmerizing as Daisy.
ReplyDelete