The Great Gatsby- Baz Luhrmann film review

 Now this is a blog close to my heart... The Great Gatsby... my favourite book, Fitzgerald... the author I wrote my dissertation on (eek) and a film adaptation by Baz Luhrmann.. my favourite director. The pressure is oonnn.

For you crazy kids who haven't read the book (why?) I won't give away any plot spoilers! However I would recommend reading the book before watching the film anyway! Even though the film does follow the plot closely I always think you understand a book better by reading it first because you make your own interpretation of the characters rather than regurgitating someone else's vision. Like Harry Potter... you simply don't get HP if you watched the film first!

In terms of reviewing I don't like to be overly negative ... strike that I try not too be too critical... so I'll start with the bad not so good then get to the good stuff. End on a high ;)

Mistake number one: Music!
This is the fatal flaw of the film I'm afraid. The book embodies The Jazz Age- what does that entail- you guessed it Jazz music! What does the film use? Contemporary rap music. Really?
For a film that tries to show context in the setting and costume and supplies extra historical information for the reader, why oh why didn't it use Jazz music! I may sound as if I'm clutching at straws here, but music is surprisingly imperative to a films success, just think about Jaws for a minute here. Change da dum da dum to dum dum de dum. You get the picture.
The whole atmosphere of the film would have been altered by the change in music.

Mistake number two: Symbolism.
Now Fitzgerald is all about the symbols, he loves a good symbol as much we love a nandoes. Buuuuttt Bazzy old boy a symbol is suggestive not literal. Fitzgerald may have written about 'the green light' but in a film (which is visual) you do not need to state 'the green light' because we can see it! I'll admit there's a lot of white billowy imagery in the book, but the amount in the film is laughable! The symbols in the novel build tension, imply plot twists and work as a back drop to the plot. A symbol does not need a big red sign above it saying 'look at me I am important', it's a matter of interpretation.

I'm also worried that viewers that haven't read the book won't enjoy the film... I'm not sure why and would be very interested to know what non Gatsby readers thought of the film! So please tell me. Despite Fitzgerald's emergence and fascination in Hollywood I don't think the novel lends itself to the cinema. The plot is fairly simple and for me it is the writing that really makes the novel stand out.

Right now to the positives! :)

• I loved the visual elements to this film! (minus the symbols ;) ) The settings were breath taking, much like Baz's Australia. The film really brought the roaring 20s to life. Quote my boyfriend: 'I wish I was a rich man in the 20s'- with houses like that wouldn't we all!
• The film also highlighted the less glamorous aspects of the 20s, the Valley of Ashes, (any Wasteland studiers will get that) the racist undertones of the period and the lower classes 'survival'. Love a bit of historical context me. Cough*nerd*cough.
• It highlights the corrupt and materialistic world and most importantly- caught the atmosphere of the 20s parties!
• The best part of the film must be the costumes though! They are absolutely stunning! And Gatsby's pink suit is particularly enjoyable! I believe that there is a showing of the costumes in London- but you'll have to do the research for that if you're interested. Cosmo's done alot of online articles regarding the cosutumes too. :)
• Ohhhh and it quoted dirctly from the text. Love a good quote me.

Best Actor award goes to... Carey Mulligan. I'll admit she is my current girl crush. But she really held up Daisy's complex role. And she looked amaaazzingg.

I would definitely recommend this film to all you old sports and I really enjoyed it. (Despite the teen couple sitting next to me and flashing their phones every 5 minutes. Cinema decorum anyone?) If this film does one thing I hope it is to encourage people to read the book. It's an American masterpiece for a reason you know! So please go read then watch.

'They're a rotten bunch. You're worth the whole damn lot.'