clarehogarth_‘Gatsby, what Gatsby?’
A trailer has dazzled internet-users everywhere, giving us a cheeky preview of the second film adaptation of one of the greatest American novels of all time – The Great Gatsby. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and first published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is a book that defines the 1920s in all of its glory, describing with amazingly poetic language situations that pierced social hypocrisy at the time. The novel tells us of the Roaring Twenties, when the First World War was over, the American economy soared, consumerism boomed, Prohibition was introduced yet widely ignored and a new ‘Lost Generation’ was created, consisting of lonely, restless, discontent youth who stopped at nothing in their pursuit of money that left them ‘struggling unhappily, undespairingly toward that lost voice across the room‘. Considered the first successful modernist novel, it neatly punctures society by criticising the corrupt American Dream, the greedy pursuit of money, the hollowness of the upper-class , status in America, declining morals of contemporary society, women, racism and the lengths people went to to get what they wanted; all through the story of one man, one ‘Great’ man’.
We last saw The Great Gatsby take to the big screen in 1974 starring Sam Waterston (Nick Carraway) and Mia Farrow (Daisy Buchanan), but this up-to-date adaptation has kindly introduced itself with a BOOM. The trailer is wonderfully put together, and it can be guaranteed that it makes those who have read the book and even those who have not positively giddy with excitement (the giggling may or may not be due to the appearance of a suited up Leonardo DiCaprio). Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo and Juliet), the hugely anticipated movie sees Tobey Maguire step out of his spidey outfit and into a sharp suit, ready to play Nick Carraway – the narrator of the story and the one who helps reveal the life of Jay Gatsby. The movie also stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), and Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan)…and with the knowledge that Luhrmann doesn’t hold back we can expect big things, very big things. The trailer for us introduces the basis for the storyline of The Great Gatsby, and gradually speeds up into a montage of clips that rapidly tells the reader that this is not a simple, romantic love story, and throws the tragic themes of violence, anger, greed and discontent into the equation. Altogether in a fabulous little bundle, the trailer shows us not only a beautifully aged, giggling-inducing Leonardo DiCaprio in 1920s attire, but an exciting hint of what Luhrmann has created.
Given a modern twist with music such as ‘No Church in the Wild’ and a Jack White cover of ‘Love is Blindness’, the trailer promises a classic story with welcomed, modern aspects that will offer familiarity to viewers, as well as an exciting and visually-pleasing adaptation of a classic novel. Do not expect your classic love story, as there are no happy endings in 1920s America, which Fitzgerald portrays to his readers through unnecessarily, shockingly spectacular parties at Gatsby’s house and incredibly drunk party-goers (that most of us cannot relate to…maybe), among many other things. Hitting screens everywhere at Christmas 2012, the only question is…can you handle the 1920s, ‘old sport’?.
i’m dim in regards to technology so if that video below doesn’t work, take a looksie here for yourself! – The Great Gatsby Trailer