“And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

-Jordan Baker in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby… the only book I enjoyed in high school, right after we read Romeo and Juliet. Tragic Love, that’s what it was all about back then. Then the movie of Romeo & Juliet (Baz Luhrmann, USA 1996) starring Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo was released in Theatres. I lost myself in that film, the visual euphoria of highly contrasted, heavily saturated projection of the film mixed with the best musical soundtrack of the time was perfection. I bought the sound track and the DVD and made it my mission to escape in them during my study breaks. Baz Luhrmann brought me right back to that tonight in The Great Gatsby. The film, in 3D captures all the edges of where my imagination took me reading this novel (F.Scott Fitzgerald) back in high school.

Luxury and Excess beyond comprehension, the clothing (Brooks Brothers) and the Tiffany jewels were just so exquisite. Visually, this film is a schmorgous board of glossy hair, luscious green manicured estates, white pristine country club schinanegans followed by cocktails, champagne and tragedy. The incorporation of new musical artists (feat. Jay Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, Andre 3000, Lana Del Ray, Goyte, Sia, Will.i.am, Jack White, Emile Sande, Florence + The Machine…etc) with this fictional piece of the past created a bridge from the past to the present creating a new currency for The Great Gatsby that makes it appealing to the masses. Old Hollywood style system  like Busby Berkeleychoreography (Gold Diggers of 1933) dance numbers and aerial shots, but in Wide Screen 3D High Def, which is New Hollywood gimics selling the old novel. Bottom line, it works!

Go see this film, and definitely pick up the soundtrack!!! There is a cover of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black by Beyonce and Andres 3000 that is astonishingly brilliant. I have listened to this soundtrack 5 times over today and love it more and more each time.

Make your own inspired Gatsby Avatar by clicking HERE

Here are a few photos from the Prescreening of The Great Gatsby in Calgary:

Vincent Law Blogger for Binzento Vincente

Contestant for the Gatsby “Dress to Impress” event

Tara Whittaker and friend Bonnie wearing costumes from A Vintage Affair for the Gatsby “Dress to Impress” event

Contestant for the Gatsby “Dress to Impress” event

My Gatsby Inspired Ensemble (Thanks BZfor your photo skillz)

Special thanks to Binzento Vincente, Tiffany & Co. and Warner Brothersfor a truly fabulous evening!