Cocaine Princess here.
About a year ago, I blogged an entry about Baz Lurhman’s remake of The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role of Jay Gatsby. The entry was posted on May 25th 2012. The trailer had been released a few days earlier with the film scheduled to open on Christmas Day. Then word came out the film's release date had been delayed by 5 long months. Finally that day has arrived, May 10th 2013. Excuse me while I do my happy dance......okay, I'm back.
I can't remember the last time I've been this excited about seeing a movie and I don't know why unless a severe case of Gatsby Fever has taken over me. So far the reviews from critics who caught a special screening have not been kind. According to most the movie is doomed to fail. Here's what been written:
The cardinal sin of this new "Gatsby" is that it’s dull.
Gatsby is rarely moving, and that's a major flaw for a movie that drags on for two-and-a-half hours.
The Great Gatsby" is an immortal American tragedy but gets lost in Luhrmann’s flash and dazzle.
Why is it in 3D?
I don't understand why there's so much hatred going on for the film? Could it be because some classic films should not be remade or could the reason be that many feel no one can hold a candle to both Robert Redford or Mia Farrow? I've seen the original and to be honest I preferred the book. One of the major criticisms stems from the movie's soundtrack. A movie set in the roaring 20's with Jay-Z rapping? Hmm, perhaps director Baz Lurhmann's 2013 version is for a new generation?
Last week npr.org streamed the entire soundtrack. I didn't care for Back to Black sung by Beyoncé and Andre 3000. No one can sing the song with depth or emotion like the late singer Amy Winehouse but I thought Jack White did a great job covering U2's Love Is Blindness and Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful is pure perfection. It's hard to say which song I liked the best however if I had to choose it would be Emeli Sandé featuring Bryan Ferry Orchestra's cover of Crazy In Love. Take a listen to the jazzy interpretation:
What I'm particularly interested in for obvious reasons of course are the decadent clothes and jewels seen throughout the film. Paying homage to the Art Deco style that was widely popular during the roaring 20's, Tiffany & Co not only provided the brilliant jewels but have released a collection for jewelery lovers. Click here if you have $220,000 to spare to purchase The Savoy Headpiece Daisy Buchanan wears.
The fabulous womens outfits designed by Prada feature all the 1920's fashion clichés: drop-waisted, rhinestone-encrusted, fringed dresses and jewel-toned, sequined accessories and although the outfits worn by the actors in the film have been described as a Princeton reunion I'm really liking the dapper looking suits. Gatsby's costume designer Catherine Martin worked in collaboration with Brooks Brothers who like Tiffany's has launched a limited edition retail collection, The Great Gatsby Line. Click here to view their collection or if you're interested in buying one of their outfits. Can any of my male readers picture themselves in a pink linen suit? Guys, forget Don Draper, it's all about Jay Gatsby old sport!
Even though his legacy will remain it's unfortunate that F. Scott Fitzgerald didn't live long enough to see his novel become one of the Greatest American Classics, so in his honor I raise my Gin Rickey and salute F. Scott.
If you recall The Great Gatsby is filled with signs and symbols and one major symbol is the Green Light at the end of Daisy’s dock. To Gatsby the green light represents his dream, which is Daisy. My Lovelies, what is your green light?
Tomorrow night I'll be seeing Leo in all his greatness. I'm literally bursting at the seams.
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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.
Whatever your plans are have a loving weekend. ~x
XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess
