By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
Cannes Day One: Drizzling
And so, on the morning of Day Two, a look back at Day One.
As the week progresses, the bubble we each travel in begins to dissipate. But on Day One, familiar faces, remembering the rhythm of the year before, trying to make good choices, getting the wireless and phones to work right, getting over the hotel room… It’s the first day at rich kids boarding school.
The Great Gatsby had already been popped for those of us in the U.S, bubble, so there was a sense of ennui to go with the steady drizzle from the start. I, personally, was not done with Gatsby, and after viewing the first hour again, I am still not done with Gatsby. I lean on the positive side of the meter for the film and re-viewing the first hour pushed me closer to the possibility of loving the film. I saw in in a WB screening room and seeing it on the big screen, even from a bad seat,was a better experience, scene after scene.
The biggest revelation for me was that it was much funnier than I remember. Luhrmann laid in a whole bunch of Easter egg references which I really hadn’t connected with the first time through, particularly in music choices (not just the existence of Jay-Z).
Luhrman remains one of the lazily discarded filmmakers of this era. Critics just won’t look past the surface much, almost angry at him for his ambitions. Anyone can fairly hate anything… if they have made a real effort to engage it first. I think there are a bunch of writers out there who just refuse with Luhrmann… on false principle.