Glamazons,
What a week I’ve had! I’ve nearly ran myself ragged covering the 2013 Met Gala all night and then heading out to the Rihanna concert on a party bus the next day. But when I got an invite to Necole Bitchie‘s screening of “The Great Gatsby,” I just couldn’t turn it down. (Who in their right mind turns down a night with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire?)
It was totally worth it to go out just one more night. I headed out to the AMC Theaters in Times Square with Makeda of Glamazon Diaries excited to see the second film adaptation of one of my favorite novels.
OK so before we get into this incredible film, a little about the screening: Inside the theater, we grabbed 3-D glasses and scrambled for our seats, alongside Jennifer Williams of “Basketball Wives” fame, Estelle and our friends from The Fashion Bomb, Jihan and Cliche.
Necole Bitchie took the stage to introduce the film, looking adorable in a white blouse, red bowtie and sexy leather skirt. Legs for days!
She’s a friend of The Glamazons and I always love supporting her events!
I also got to chop it up with Estelle and you know I had to compliment her hair (she’s rocking blonde curls these days). She said it may be purple tomorrow, which would look just as fly (Kerry Washington pulled it off!). Werque, girl.
I also ran into her makeup artist, Joanna Simpkin who was wearing the most amazing earrings that looked like they were designed for “The Great Gatsby.”
Aren’t they a dead ringer for the title treatment?
She said they are by Melody Ehsani and she was so inspired by the movie she had to wear them. Yeah, I’ll be needing those to get through summer. You too? Get Melody Ehsani‘s ‘Hollywood’ earrings here for $56.
OK, now for the film, I won’t give away too much but here’s why I strongly believe you should go see it:
1. The Beautiful Story
F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s timeless tale of love, greed and loss is re-imagined beautifully here in writer/director’s Baz Luhrmann version of “Gatsby.”
The audience watches the story unfold through the voyeuristic lens of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), whose cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) has captured the heart of the dashing, mysterious and alluring Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).
Married to a philandering heir to a fortune, the enchanting Daisy is trapped in a loveless union:
She yearns to be reunited with her first love, Gatsby, who tries to impress her with the wealth he has amassed through shady dealings. But their raw and unbridled passion for one another is pitted against their burning desire for money, power and prestige in 1920s New York.
Cousin Nick spends the movie rhapsodizing about Gatsby and Daisy‘s love affair, but a deeper romance thrives between the characters and New York City. Nick captures their on-again, off-again relationship with New York, saying “we all were fascinated and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” Umm, that line is brilliant!
The film captures how it’s possible to be lonely in a city filled with people. All the awe-inspiring splendor and extravagant parties signify nothing when you don’t have anyone who truly loves or cares for you. We all need someone, Coco O. sings on the soundtrack.
That’s so deep! Living in New York, I can tell you that not much has changed, decades later.
2. The Acting
The acting leaves a bit to be desired. Though arrestingly beautiful, Carey Mulligan, as Daisy Buchanan, fails to capture Daisy’s smarts, elegance and beguiling charm. She unfortunately reduces the multi-dimensional character to just a pretty face in Prada. Her acting throws off the chemistry between her character and Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, which in turn complicates the film’s premise. If we don’t see Daisy as lovable and enchanting, how can we believe a man would spend his whole life trying to win her love?
The men display the real acting talent in the film, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio who shines as Jay Gatsby. He manages to be charismatic, disarmingly handsome, well-connected, poised and polished while keeping an air of mystery about him.
To his credit, Leo brings a human quality to Gatsby’s character. He is awkward and self-conscious in a brilliant scene when he prepares to meet Daisy for the first time in five years (they were separated when Gatsby was sent off to war and Daisy gets married during that time). Gatsby’s great flaw is that he is driven by a vulnerable and woefully transparent need to love and be loved, and Leo conjures that emotion perfectly.
Gatsby also holds on to a naïve, almost childlike optimism, which is refreshing and rare among New York City’s bitter, jaded crowd. It’s so special, in fact, Nick marvels at it.
As Gatsby’s confidant and neighbor, Nick (played brilliantly by Tobey Maguire) is wise, compassionate and tormented by the twisted value system of the nouveau riche. He struggles to find substance amidst the many lies and fake friendships.
A great scene occurs when Gatsby promises Nick riches and a higher social status if he invites his cousin, Daisy, over for tea so Gatsby can crash their party and be reunited with her again. Nick dismisses all of Gatsby’s offers, saying he’ll invite her over in good faith as a “favor.” No bribery necessary. The concept seems unfamiliar to Gatsby, who is so accustomed to being used. In that moment, Nick shows that he truly cares for Gatsby and Gatsby doesn’t even know how to receive it.
Joel Edgerton is brilliant as the villainous husband, Tom Buchanan, who hates black and poor people and views women as things to be possessed. You love to hate him as he flaunts his riches and social status with ease.
I’m still floored by each of their performances!
3. The Cinematography
The first 3-D adaptation of “Gatsby” is an unforgettable experience that indulges each one of your senses: the snow which extends beyond the movie screen seemingly into the air above your seat, the grand fireworks which light up the night air in vibrant and resplendent color, the piercing sounds that reverberate through the theater when gunshots blare. Each scene works to transport you into the middle of the action.
The cinematography makes the film feel like a dream, especially in the ethereal scene when Daisy and best friend, Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki) first appear laid out on a couch, dripping in diamonds with their porcelain skin peeking out through white curtains floating in the breeze.
The glamour and decadence of the roaring 20s come alive at Gatsby’s famously lavish, awe-inspiring parties where confetti, fireworks and clinking champagne glasses seem larger than life.
The characters’ weak emotional connections appear even more meaningless juxtaposed with the grandiose gatherings of beautiful, well-dressed strangers. Jordan captures that dichotomy, saying: “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. Small parties, there isn’t any privacy.”
4. The Fashion
As the “Gatsby” characters dress up to convey wealth and status, the wardrobe in this film is most important. Fittingly, Prada and Brooks Brothers outfit the cast in the most opulent fashions of the roaring 20s. Their looks help tell the story.
Brooks Brothers’ suits convey how rich and prestigious a man is:
Extravagant feathered Prada gowns, glittering Tiffany & Co. headpieces and barettes and shiny blonde waves show that a woman is desirable and well-off:
And poor mistresses are relegated to printed ruffle dresses and a mess of springy red curls:
You can’t help but be transfixed by the wardrobe of the rich, young and beautiful women. I gasped when Daisy stole a moment in the garden with Gatsby in a pale pink Prada gown glittering with sparkly crystal beading:
In the same way, Jordan is statuesque and elegant in a black halter gown with embellished crystals on the neckline:
These women spare no expense when it comes to extravagant clothes. And I’m here for all of it!
5. The Soundtrack
I included lines above from a few songs on the critically acclaimed soundtrack because the lyrics tell the story so beautifully.
But the soundtrack does have its drawbacks. It’s distracting to hear Jay-Z’s “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” as a well-dressed group speeds across the bridge in a luxury car. Are we in the roaring ‘20s or the early 2000s?
And while it’s a beautiful song, Beyonce’s cover of “Back To Black” fails to conjure up the angst and inconsolable pain that made Amy Winehouse’s tune a classic.
Lana Del Rey’s haunting rendition of “Young & Beautiful” is the standout song on the soundtrack. It captures just how much the characters are longing to be loved for more than the superficial things they can offer (appearance, social status, money). Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful, the lyrics read.
I’m currently playing Lana Del Rey’s song on repeat, as well as Jay-Z’s “$100 Bill” which speaks to the flashy, dangerous and money-hungry lifestyle espoused by the men in the film.
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Overall, I think it’s one of the better movies I’ve seen. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s love story will never get old and extraordinary actors like Leonardo DiCaprio help bring it to life. The fashion will excite you, the music and cinematography will entertain you and the ending will confound, anger and devastate you all at once.
Are you going to see it this weekend, Glamazons? Have you seen it already? If so, tell me what you thought in the comments.
Can’t wait to see it again, and get it on DVD! Haha. Told you I loved it.
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
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