Love and Dead People

While watching "The Great Gatsby," I was struck by two revelations I have made about Baz Luhrmann.  One, he apparently only gets interested in a project if someone stupid's going to kick it at the end after experiencing their great love (see: Romeo, Jay Gatsby, both played by Leo, although this is not a slight against him), and two, he finally got a clue and got rid of the editor he's been using.  You know, the one who edits like a drunk ADHD victim who threw away their meds.  I actually got a chance to watch whole scenes for more than five seconds at a time!  It was a revelation!

Yes, it's still full of Bazisms - the long tracking shots over scenery, in-your-face party scenes, strong emphasis on music, etc.  But there's more care here.  He's trying to actually give you a sense of character and motivation, rather than just flying it up there onscreen and hoping that it sticks.  His attention to detail and beauty are still as prevalent as ever, but it's not all artifice.  I mean, 90% of it is, but the other 10% tries to get to the heart of the story.

Of course, one of Luhrmann's greatest strengths is his casting ability.  At least, he can find actors who aren't afraid to make complete asses of themselves in pursuit of his vision (I still have bad flashbacks to Nicole Kidman trying to seduce Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge.  Brrr...).  I think he made a great choice in Leo for Gatsby.  He kind of fills in the character holes that Luhrmann basically leaves wide open, and you can't help but to feel for Gatsby, stupid as he is.  Joel Edgerton does a great job playing Buchanan.  He plays bully well.  The rest of the cast is good, but their characters aren't nearly as fleshed out.

All in all, it's a serviceable vision of Fitzgerald that's beautiful to look at .  I can't call it one the great literary adaptations ever, but I think he got the vapidity of the Twenties while keeping the longing of the love story front and center.  And I can see!  Great movie Gods above, I didn't have to barf after watching it!  Huzzah!