The Great Gatsby that came before...

The Great Gatsby (1974) I believe, cannot be bettered by its remake (directed by Baz Lurhmann 2013). Granted I have not seen it but by viewing the trailer, and reading reviews I have come to the conclusion that the film does not live up to the book. Which is a great shame because the book is quite groundbreaking and considered a 'classic'; on the surface a romance, yet underneath a critique on social life and manners that are current in the higher echelons of 1920s American society. Honestly, there are many twists and points of accelerated tension that it becomes a mixture of romance, mystery, drama and even attempts at being comedic.

This film that I will be reviewing is a more literal adaptation which works better in giving justice to F Scott Fitzgerald's work. The lines are mostly the same and consequently the film, funnily enough is a realisation of the images I had in my head when reading the book. However the camera work is more experimental that I would expect, however the close ups, emphasizing emotion that would be missed without this technique due to the wealthy character's facade, add dynamism to the film. The recurrent flickers of shots of a billboard advertising an oculist T. J Eckleburg highlight Fitzgerald's concept that despite the lawless antics happening in West Egg, there is a omnipresent God like figure that watches ominously over the party-goers, especially Jay Gatsby; his actions and their repercussions. This idea perhaps is made too obvious however as a motif it works effectively.

Regarding the individual characters, Daisy Buchanan, a whimsical 'beautiful fool' acts delightfully airheaded even though her looks are dark and sharp. Her lifeline is money and firmly believes that the $$$ is the centripetal force that keeps her society rotating. You can't pity her or feel sorry for her, as it is difficult for most people to relate. Personally I find Jay Gatsby pathetic, and Robert Redford doesn't have the elusive charm that I envisaged Fitzgerald's fictional Gatsby to have. My favorite character is the under rated and modest narrator Nick, whose accidental, but timely appearance into awkward situations makes him a great omniscient third person narrator.

The visual aspects are beautiful, especially the wardrobe departments' recreation of flashy, swishy, 1920's flapper dresses. Cartier features as the jewellery designers and Ralph Lauren as the brand behind the extravagant garments. The best accessory is Gatsby's yellow car that is driven whilst Gatsby wears a flamboyant pink suit. The clashing colours are harsh on the eyes and you realise that Gatsby clearly can't buy class & style although he can buy diamonds.

This film is interesting, quite unique and tackles a difficult book to make into film.
sorry its a long one

****