Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby will delight many viewers (mostly people who never read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book) and will infuriate other viewers who will not be down with a hip-hop version of this American classic. Yes, Jay-Z produced much of the soundtrack. Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan try to do justice to this sixth attempt to capture the greatness of the source material. But like the five previous Gatsby movies, this sixth version misses the target. If you want to see a movie of excess and decadence, this movie achieves that end. But, if you’re looking for the magic of Fitzgerald’s novel, it’s not here. GRADE: B-
This film is releasing in India next Friday, May 17, and I’m looking forward to seeing it. I didn’t know there were five previous adaptations.
Prashant, I consider THE GREAT GATSBY an unfilmable book. You would think Hollywood would have learned from the previous five unsuccessful movies. But, no, they had to make a sixth GATSBY film. I doubt this latest version will make its money back. It is flashy, though.
I detested IRON MAN 3. There was not a quiet moment in this violent, loud mess.
Patti, the target market for IRON MAN 3 (and all the other MARVEL superheroes films) is 12-year-olds. You’re right: the movie was very loud. It think that’s going to be standard with all the Summer blockbusters.
I’m still trying to figure why Baz Luhrmann thought 3-D was the way to go with this. And no, I won’t be seeing it.
I’m sure IRON MAN 3 is loud the same way THE AVENGERS was loud, but Jackie definitely wants to see it on the big screen.
If you and Jackie are in the right frame of mind, you’ll enjoy the razzle-dazzle of IRON MAN 3, Jeff. The Big Screen is definitely the way to go.
I think it was critic John Simon who said that any novel worth adapting to film cannot be transformed successfully and any novel that can make a successful transition from page to screen probably wasn’t much of a novel to begin with. I don’t always agree with Simon, but I think he has a point here.
Deb, you and John Simon are right on the money. Novels and movies are two completely different media. Trying to translate one into the other is difficult. When the novel is a classic like THE GREAT GATSBY, it is almost impossible.
Simon could be obnoxious and offensive but he was often on the mark. I remember seeing a preview of a show that was really terrible and seeing Simon in the audience. I had an urge to go up to him and urge him to give the show the lambasting it deserved, but of course I sidn’t, nor did I need to. I remember part of his review, saying that Georgia Engel and the actor playing her love interest looked more like mother and son.
Jeff, John Simon didn’t mince words. Yes, he was often obnoxious and offensive, but he Told It Like It Was. That’s why he was always in trouble with Hollywood and Broadway.
Everybody’s talking about John Simon in the past tense. He’s still around at 87, blogging at uncensoredsimon.blogspot.com. Cranky as ever, his sendoff of Roger Ebert, for instance, was hardly a nil nisi bonum tribute. Meanwhile, that other reliable old crank, Rex Reed, has a withering review of the new Gatsby at observer.com. Most interesting sidelight is his – in relative terms at least – high praise for the 1949 Alan Ladd version. The film is apparently tied up in lawsuits and has never been available for home viewing or broadcast. Makes me curious to see it.
Art, thanks for the heads up on uncensoredsimon.com. Now I want to see that Alan Ladd version of THE GREAT GATSBY, too!
The cast for this Gatsby version didn’t impress me, and when I heard “hip-hop” that was the end of any possible interest I might have had. I see TCM is showing several 5 star films this afternoon and tonight, including the excellent A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. A much better choice.
Rick, I doubt if this sixth incarnation of THE GREAT GATSBY will make back the Big Bucks for the stars and the 3D and the costumes.
Hip hop? Unless you’re talking about Peter Rabbit, include me out.
As for the books into film question, didn’t Simon see The Maltese Falcon?
I’ve always kinda wished GATSBY had been filmed back in the 50s by someone like Douglas Sirk or Vincente Minelli, who could pick up on both the lurid color and the emotional resonance.
This is one of my all-time favorite books but I don’t think it will ever translate into a good film.
I’ll pass.
I’m with you, Beth. I’m not sure any movie can capture the greatness of THE GREAT GATSBY.