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The Great Gatsby is sparklier than you remember in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation
By James Brady RyanMay 23rd, 2012, 10:45 amComments (13)The Great Gatsby — you've read it. You've loved/hated it. You've heard all about how the green light represents the dream of the future or banging flappers or bathtub gin or whatever. But have you seen it in 3D? I mean, you probably never thought you'd need to see a meditation on the American dream and the hollowness of the Jazz Age and the foibles of the upper class in 3D, but Baz Luhrmann is ready to give you what you didn't even know you wanted.
Featuring Kanye West, even:
Real talk: I love The Great Gatsby. I've read it like ten times. I love the parties, I love the clothes, I love how queer it is. I don't love that description about how Myrtle Wilson's boob gets torn off in the car accident [SPOILER from 1925] but it definitely stuck with me. So I'm conflicted about this whole venture.
I honestly do think Luhrmann's spangly style fits well with the book, even though he's not known for nuance. And I love Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher. (Sorry Tobey Maguire — Spiderman 3 puts you on the Let's Wait And See list.) But I cannot get over how unnecessary and troubling the idea of putting this film into 3D is. What, exactly, will be jumping out at you from the screen? The troubling realization that your rampant consumerism belies an emptiness within your very being? Sounds like a blast.
On the other hand, we almost had a movie where Paris Hilton played Daisy, so... I guess we're lucky.
Commentarium (13 Comments)
Looks like every hipster party ever
Also, does it sound like in the trailer that Leo DiCaprio is using a southern accent? Gatsby was from MINNESOTA. STOP IT, LEO.
This.
Also, "Sorry Tobey Maguire — Spiderman 3 puts you on the Let's Wait And See list." - sums up all I've been thinking since he was announced as Tom.
Didn't Gatsby also die at 26? Leo is an old man now, let's not pretend otherwise.
Gatsby was trying desperately to fit into high society, and to hide his past; I think going southern is taking it too far, but he shouldn't have a thick Minnesota accent (fer sure)
Paris Hilton was awesome as Amber Sweet in Repo! The Genetic Opera. Quit hating.
Well, it's not realistic, it's not the 1920s, and it's not Fitzgerald. Whatever.
You're right that there's absolutely not point to making this in 3D. I hust saw "The Avengers" and there wasn't even any point in making THAT 3D
And here goes another classic killed by Buz Luhrman!
"Things jumping out" was never the appropriate use for 3d, except in movies that had nothing else going for them. The word for the 2010s is "immersion."
I agree. I don't necessarily think the 3D is necessary but it will just create depth while watching it as opposed to things jumping out--like when I saw Avatar in 3D. So yeah, immersion is the big thing now. It works though, I'll tell you that. However my wallet doesn't like it.
Meow meow DiCaprio as Gatsby? How lazy is the casting for this? Meow meow "I don't care what shape the hole is, meow meow the square peg will fit it!"
Someone must seriously put a stop to Baz. The man murders - with glitter. It's criminal.
are you kidding? paris hilton would be the PERFECT daisy. she's beautiful, materialistic, vain, shallow and incredibly wealthy