For whatever reason, my expectations for Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby were quite different than the realities presented in this new trailer, the first for the film. I guess I thought Baz’s acid-trip-style had mellowed with age and that this was going to be an impeccable costume drama, authentic in every way. But… from the first few seconds of the trailer, I was instantly reminded of the party scene in Romeo + Juliet, and how much Baz Luhrmann likes to churn up the psychodrama of a party scene. In the end… I’m kind of disappointed.




Some nice things: the scene with all of Gatsby’s shirts – that looks like it’s done really, really well. It was always my favorite bittersweet scene in the book, and I love the look of Gatsby’s two-story closet. I guess I should say something about the actors? Carey Mulligan is such a fine actress. She’s one of my favorites of the new girls, and I think she was a splendid choice for Daisy, and maybe one of the best actresses to portray the Daisy character ever. It seems a bit like she’s in another movie, though – like she thought she was making a more sedate, period, costume drama.
As for Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby… um, he looks really good. I don’t see any bloated face, and he manages to avoid looking ratty too. Probably because Leo as Gatsby is kind of perfect casting too – who else could really play Gatsby amongst today’s actors? Only Leo, really. I didn’t catch sight of Isla Fisher at all, right? She’s not in the trailer? She plays Myrtle. Joel Edgerton plays Tom Buchanan, and Elizabeth Debicki is Jordan Baker (incidentally, when I first read the book, I thought “Jordan Baker” was THE most sophisticated name for a woman ever).
Anyway… it looks okay. I do want to see it, but I think I need to lower my expectations a bit.



Poster and stills from ‘The Great Gatsby’.