Dec 19 2008Baz Luhrmann Doing 'Great Gatsby', and You Can Tell He Doesn't Trust You Knowing That
Don't let Baz Lurhmann's narrowed, suspicious eyes fool you. Behind the icy glare lies a mind hard at work on once again bringing something called "Great Gatsby" to screens:
The director, as Risky Biz first reported last month, also said that he has officially acquired rights to "Gatsby." Luhrmann sees the pre-Depression story as a wake-up call as the economy comes crashing down and another gilded age, as he sees it, comes to an end."If you wanted to show a mirror to people that says, 'You've been drunk on money,' they're not going to want to see it. But if you reflected that mirror on another time they'd be willing to."
He said that he wants to move quickly on the "Gatsby" project because of that timeliness. "I'm going to move faster than I have before. I'd be surprised if it's another seven years," he said, referring to the period between "Rouge" and "Australia."
You're right, Baz. People don't want to see a mirror held up to themselves. They want a mirror held up to the past, so that they can kind of look at it from the side and think, "That reflected image sort of looks like me, but inverted because it's a mirror, and wearing old fashioney clothing."
Having read this in high school, I can tell you with confidence that this movie should be something about the eyes of the doctor billboard are like the eyes of God or something.
Reader Comments
1. Bubba Gump - December 19, 2008 3:11 PM
I Unfortunately it remindz me of the 50 million essays I had to write on symbolism.
2. Bubba Gump - December 19, 2008 3:11 PM
***** I love this book! ^
3. Mr. Jones - December 19, 2008 3:22 PM
"If you wanted to show a mirror to people that says, 'You've been drunk on money,' they're not going to want to see it. But if you reflected that mirror on another time they'd be willing to."
Wow - I guess that's why contemporary movies that showcase human greed do so poorly. "Wallstreet" only made 50 million back in 1987.
And the characters in "Gatsby" aren't drunk on money. They're drunk on BOOZE!
4. TommyP - December 20, 2008 4:18 AM
But will there be singing, dancing, and absinthe? And whores, me do love a good dancing, singing, absinthe drinking whore movie!
I am curious who he will get to play the guy that pronounces "Oxford" funny (funnily?). Maybe Leguizamo?
5. Korbl - December 20, 2008 9:58 AM
Bubba Gump, I have to tell you, you're one of the few.
Having read this book in High School, it's going to interminably boring and pointless. Well, maybe, the social commentary might give it some point, but...
6. Jenn - December 20, 2008 5:30 PM
Strange that this should come up since I'm reading the book again right now. But...there will be no better Gatsby than Robert Redford so this may be a remake doomed to flop. I hope not though.