One of the films I am most excited for in 2013 is Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby". Widely considered to be F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel, and one of the greatest American Novels ever written, "The Great Gatsby" was written and set in 1922, at the height of the Roaring Twenties. In many ways, the time wasn't that different from the indulgent age we live in now, which makes the timing of this adaptation so interesting.
Of course, the book was made into a film back in 1974 starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, but the film flopped with critics as it lacked excitement and depth. In fact, this was the third adaptation of the novel at the time following a silent film outing in 1926 and another adaptation in 1949 after the 1926 version negatives were lost (it no longer exists anywhere). There was also a made for TV adaptation in 2000 that aired on the A&E cable network. But none of the adaptations have gone down as classic (or even good) films in their own right. And perhaps this one will finally get it right.
Let me qualify this post by stating that I have never actually read the book. For whatever reason, it was never required reading for me in high school (though how I got stuck reading "The Grass Dancer" instead of this classic, I'll never know, nor will I forgive that curriculum decision anytime soon). Now with the film on the horizon, and with Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo+Juliet) bringing his usual breed of panache to the story, I've decided to wait and read it after the film. Criticize me all you want book worms but I hate watching a movie when I know the story or how it ends before I go in. I'll get to the book eventually, the film is only a few more months away.
But anyways, back to the original idea behind this post. The trailer for "The Great Gatsby" is what got me inspired to write this post. The trailer shows a New York that has a decidedly 21st Century aesthetic to it. Lots of lights, flashy costuming and decor. 1922 was quite a time period for such things and it's little wonder that the 1974 version still managed to win the Oscar that year for costume design. But what really sets the tone in this trailer is the music. Luhrmann's history of using modern songs in period pieces is well-documented, but this seems even more appropriate (One thing I want to add, since he is often criticized for his choices in music, is that even Shakespeare was known to incorporate modern popular music into his plays to broaden their appeal).
The trailer opens with the Jay-Z/Kanye West anthem "No Church in the Wild". With the beats and R&B feel that is distinctly 21st century, this immediately draws the mind to connect today with 1922. The similarities are even laid out in the opening minute of the trailer, in case you somehow couldn't make that connection yourself. The party being shown looks like something you might see in Hollywood today (granted if there was a twenties theme to the party). Flash, spectacle and booze with an undercurrent of sensuality. Then the hauntingly beautiful U2 song "Love is Blindness" (though this version is performed by Jack White of The White Stripes) rolls in after the introduction of the love interest. The song closes it out and really gives away more about the story than any of the images in the trailer. Leo's performance looks like it's at his usual high standard.
Any truly great piece of art will always be interpreted differently by different audiences. There are timeless messages buried within them that even the artist may have missed. Fitzgerald's story is such a work of art and I am excited to see what Baz decides to focus on in his adaptation.
In closing, seeing things like this also makes me wonder what books or movies being made today will be made into period piece films in the next 50-70 years. Or will we be too busy remaking The Great Gatsby again?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment