Both
were fair remakes, however neither were perfect. Nuances from the novel were overlooked. For example, the director’s choice in the
past has often been to make Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s love interest, a
blonde. Nowhere in the novel has it been
mentioned that she is blonde. In fact,
she is a brunette! Her personality dictates this stereotype, and every director
wants it to be known that in comparison to Jordan, she is the dumb woman of the
story. Something else that the directors
have changed is
In honor of the new film coming out
shortly, let’s take a look at the significant aspects of it, pre-evaluating how
high expectations the teasers have fostered may not be met.
The
casting for the 2013 adaptation is pretty spot-on with how I would envision
with contemporary actors and actresses. Leonardo
DiCaprio takes on the titular role of Jay Gatsby. His charm and versatility as an actor gives
him great potential to be the mysterious Gatsby we all know and love. The existential Nick Carraway is portrayed by
Tobey Maguire. A fitting choice,
considering he has been typecast as quiet and awkward in the past, making an
ideal narrator. Carey Mulligan will be
Daisy Buchanan. She is an ideal choice
for the role, as she follows the blonde-Daisy trend. Other actors chosen include Ilsa Fischer as
Myrtle, Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan, Elizabeth Debecki as Jordan Baker. With an ensemble cast, it is the perfect
recipe for cinematic success.
From
what the trailers have shown us, the director wants to emphasize excess in the
film. The 1920’s was a time of buying on
margin; the Stock Market was booming and people were spending more than
ever. Upon being interviewed about his
interpretation, he said that he wanted to comment on society’s irresponsibility
and the wealthy lifestyle many people achieved in the Roaring Twenties. If anything, Luhrmann didn’t disappoint here.
The parties being thrown are
ridiculous. The size of the houses is
incredulous. They are filled with
butlers, swimming pools, confetti and more food and drink than one can
fathom. In Fitzgerald’s novel, Carraway
vividly describes the parties Jay Gatsby would throw. His name indeed does “sound like money.” They were filled with fresh food, hundreds of
butlers, large bands and interesting people from all over.
I also got the overwhelming feeling
of passion from the trailer. Aside from
the American Dream, another motif from Fitzgerald’s novel was time lost. Gatsby’s success and overwhelming existence
is all efforts from Daisy Buchanan to fall back in love with him. However, it is often difficult to turn back
the clock and relive the past. What’s
done is done. The embodiment of Gatsby
is an elusive one, but this is the most important aspect for a successful
adaptation here.
The
soundtrack is the textbook definition of an anachronism. If you watched the trailers from the film in
mute, the visual aspect alone is breathtaking.
Excess is the name of the game, with parties rekindling the essence of a
swanky shindig from decades ago. Once
you add in the music talents of Beyonce, Florence + The Machine, and Lana Del
Ray, you lose all hope for 1920’s jazz music that would juxtapose with the
spirit of the times. We should have seen
this coming, considering Jay-Z co-produced the soundtrack for the movie.
Upon seeing the initial trailer in May
2012, I wasn’t thrilled with the contemporary music playing in the
background. I assumed it was a work in
progress. However, upon the release of
the official music, I am sad to say it isn’t reminiscent of the glamorous jazz
of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. Anyone
who was expecting something similar to “The Aviator” or “Public Enemies”
soundtrack will be greatly disappointed.
Marketing
for this film has gone through the roof.
Various companies have set up fashion lines inspired by the film. Brooks Brothers launched a line April 15 of
clothes, accessories and shoes for men. What
is interesting about this line is that Brooks Brothers was around during the
1920’s, and was one of the go-to stores for men of the time. Fashion Weekly Magazine states that these
styles “weren't simply based on 1920s style: the new duds were designed based on
the brand's actual archives.” What can
be seen in the windows in their boutiques is legit as it gets, since the movie
offers the same style.
On April 17, Tiffany and
Co launched a jewelry line in collaboration with Lurhmann and costume designer
Catherine Martin. The collection comprises 7 pieces: a brooch, a
headpiece (both reportedly based on archival Tiffany designs), a necklace, and
four different rings, including one in platinum with a 5.25-carat diamond,
priced at $875,000; quite the price to pay to charade as a 1920’s fashionista. Kudos to Luhrmann for the costume’s
authenticity. At least the actors will
be costumed to perfection with all their flapper flare.
The
opening film at the Cannes Film Festival, and premiering for the rest of the
world May tenth, we can only hope for the best out of the latest adaptation of
the classic novel. Hopefully
anachronisms don’t turn what could be a great film into another disappointment
on Luhrmann’s behalf. If done write,
adaptations can be amazing.
Don’t
let this discourage you from seeing the film, reader. I do have every intention of seeing the film
dressed as a flapper. Each director has
their own opportunity to tell Ftzgerald’s story through their own eyes. Luhrmann’s interpretation hopefully still
captures the essence of recreating the past, while adding his own touches. A quasi-modernization of a classic is a
tedious task, and his track record has proven him unsuccessful thus far. “Gatsby” just might be his green light across
the water.
