Yesterday the trailer was released for Baz Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby” adaptation, due out this Christmas.
And don’t forget, the theatrical version will be in 3-D. Will the glasses be shaped like the ones on Dr. Eckleburg’s billboard? — CC
33 Comments on "Great Gatsby Trailer Released"
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I know a lot of people have been complaining about the music in this, but I think it’s interesting. The hip hop at the beginning, especially, probably better evokes in current audiences the feelings that swing music did at the time. Typical 20s music sounds so safe and nice now that it’s hard to imagine it as the soundtrack to a big raucous party thrown by an arriviste, even though that’s what it would have signaled at the time.
Points taken, Chip, and I think anachronistic music can work well in the hands of an auteur, for example Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.”
However, swing was still quite a ways off from the time the book was written. It’s origins are around 1930 or so with tunes like Glen Gray’s “Casa Loma Stomp” and develops more in the early ’30s with bands like Fletcher Henderson.
Armstrong made his famous “swing that music” remark in the late ’20s, but I believe the swing era proper is said to begin in 1935.
Gatsby is squarely in the Charleston era, though you’re right that it was a raucous time. We don’t call it the Roaring Twenties for nothing.
Visually it’s beautiful, never got a great look at the clothing, but the music choice really bothered me. If this was just an updated remake of an old movie that’s justifiable, but Gatsby? I imagine someone in some office in Hollywood, “Hey, lets make a hip hop Gone With The The Wind”
My apologies for the sophomoric language, but it looks like a suck-fest to me. The scenery seems/is contrived via computer, and there seems to be more of an emphasis on the action (in an attempt to keep us trained to be distracted) rather than the story. What I always get out of reading the novel is the story over the visual; from this trailer, that appears reversed.
It does evoke well with audiences *today.* Which means that it will look dated as hell in ten years. You can use modern music effectively, but they should be songs that have stood the test of time. I did think the music from later in the trailer was fine. However, they rarely use the same music from the trailer as the final cut, so I doubt we’ll hear auto-tune in the Gatsby residence.
Question: Was the acting supposed to come off as awkward and hammy? Or the CG work look exceptionally amateur?
And CC, I would probably put down some money for some TJ Eckleberg 3D glasses, as crass as that may be. Brilliant idea.
That was a brilliant idea, made me watch the trailer a second time to get the reference.
Bilge.Surely ?
I’d imagine they only used those songs for the trailer, and the soundtrack of the movie itself will be an original score of some kind. Beyond that, I’m not sure how I feel about it, although I’m glad they have the shirt scene (or some interpretation thereof).
“Original score” for the movie? Have you ever seen a Baz Luhrmann movie?
Hmm… Good point.
I’m so excited for this movie. The Great Gatsby is, in my opinion, THE great American novel. I’m so excited to see it played out on the big screen by a fresh group of actors. The original film is absolutely true to the book, but I think this skewed version will be an artistic masterpiece. I’m especially looking forward to the scene in which Gatsby throws the shirts…my favorite!
I don’t think I’ll like it nearly as much as I did the 2000 version with Paul Rudd as Carraway and the bad guy from James Bond as Gatsby. Daisy’s actress is definitely a mismatch, in my opinion. True Gatsby enthusiasts will be disappointed.
I smell the effluent of the sort which appeals to the Kanyes of the world. Rubbish. One can only hope it loses money and this sort of “art” is put in the hands of better filmmakers.
Imagine a Gatsby score by the Gershwins, Cole Porter, maybe Vincent Youmans instead of the insipid crap on the movie trailer. The Hollywood East Egg crowd is a comic book version of Piping Rock. Where is the life that late they led?
I will see this movie for Gatsby’s wardrobe….period. Redford was far better cast than DeCaprio and I like Leonardo! He keeps casting himself in these epic like productions. He was about as believable in J Edgar and Howard Hughes in Aviator as Liberace would have been!
This movie was filmed in New South Wales, which is why some scenes (like the scene with the railway cars) don’t look American.
I’m sorry but there’s no way this remake is going to be better than the 1974’s Gatsby with Mr Redford…
It renews one’s faith in members of the ivy crowd when one sees others who agree that Redford’s Gatsby cannot be topped.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t isn’t something said about cheap liquor in the beginning of the trailer? Given this was first published in 1925, right in the middle of Prohibition, I doubt Fitzgerald would have written that. Also, didn’t Gatsby make part of his fortune smuggling alcohol? If that’s the case, I doubt it would have been cheap. Haven’t read the book in a while. Anyway, the acting looks terrible and the production is extremely heavy handed. If the writing is like that Carraway voice over at the beginning, then, that too, is poor. Pretty sure I’ll pass on this.
This will be typical camp, brash, hysterical nonsense from Luhrmann. Anyone seen ‘Moulin Rouge’? Now watch him crap all over Gatsby.
I haven’t read Gatsby for a very long time, three decades, but if I remember correctly there isn’t a lot of action in the novel. The novel is mostly dialogue and Carraway’s narrative, which makes translation to film very difficult. That was the criticism of the 1974 attempt and I suspect will be for this one.
The clothing will be interesting, in comparison to Ralph Lauren’s 1974 costuming, most thought he nailed it. Considering he had only been in business for six years it was quite a success for his brand.
Look for a surge in the 1974 Gatsby DVD sales, as many will want to compare the two versions, like the new Soldier, Sailor, Tinker, Spy to the BBC mini series.
Let’s see: wild parties, adulterous affairs, a woman killed in a hit and run leading to a tragic case of mistaken identity that causes a man to be murdered in his swimming pool, all set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties and a rags-to-riches story.
What kind of action do you guys need, robots from space?
Christian, I’m just basically repeating the criticisms from the 1974 movie. I was finishing college at the time, liked the movie a lot and was surprised by that criticism, but they had a point.
Two words regarding DiCaprio’s costume: prole gape.
On a related note, I do wish The Submarines would return to NYC. And not Brooklyn, FGS. Maybe Terminal 5.
http://www.openculture.com/2012/05/new_igreat_gatsbyi_ion_the_roadi_adaptations_revive_an_old_debate_can_great_books_make_great_movies.html
OCBD
Thanks for the link.
MAC
My pleasure, sir.
Well,the problem fo me is simple.
The Charleston is much more pleasing and delightful that hip hop,
the clothes are ugly.
I’m at a loss as to the December release date. Summer would be more appropriate since action of the novel takes place in…the same season. In any event, if Hollywood thinks it can improve upon F. Scott Fitzgerald’s vision, good luck with that.
I think I will hold judgement until the film is released and I have watched it… : )
Looks like the Aviator part II. Screen play looks awesome, what a mammoth budget the film had to cost to look so real and 1950’s.
A Real Treat:
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqFDMUqb1JE&feature=youtube_gdata_player