The Great Gatsby Film Review and Makeup

I've been looking forward to seeing 'The Great Gatsby' for months as the release date kept getting pushed back.  Having studied the novel in English Literature, I was skeptical as to how the first person narration would work on the screen as well as getting across Fitzgerald's symbolic references.  I think Baz Luhrmann succeeded in doing this but like the rest of the film, this was done with a heavy hand.  From start to finish, the film is over-the-top and exuberant in its approach.  That is not to say it is a bad thing,  as the glittering party scenes are brought to life in a vivid, vibrant style of the 1920s.  However, the more somber exchanges regarding the Gatbsy - Daisy - Tom love triangle seem to fall a bit flat in comparison. It is as though Luhrmann's dazzling style is as stiffing as Mrytle's apartment, preventing the actors from just being able to act.



I think Luhrmann felt trapped between the novel and cinematic world, desperately trying to mash the two together.  In trying to stay true to Firzgerald's tale, he almost cheapens it by getting Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) to tell his story to a psychiatrist.  This is further emphasised, by extracts of the text actually flashing up on the screen, perhaps a plea from Luhrmann to understand he is trying to respect the novel.  Whilst the symbols of the green light and eyes of T.J. Eckleberg are included, they are repeatedly thrown at the audience so there is no chance of missing them.  The film lacks the subtleties that the novel is so renowned for, restricting the audience's interpretation of it.

So far, it seems as though I thought the film was terrible when I actually found it very enjoyable.  You cannot doubt that the film is visually beautiful, almost surreal.  The sweeping camera angles enable a real sense of the geography and how East Egg and West Egg relate to each other.  In addition, there is some fantastic acting in this when the characters can breathe among the elaborate bouquets of flowers, fireworks and wealth.  Carey Mulligan does a phenomenal job as Daisy, showing the difference between her carefree attitude upon her first acquaintance with Gatbsy and the bittersweet, tragic longing when she is reunited with him.  Leonardo DiCaprio also takes on the challenging role of Gatsby with ease, portraying both his mysterious allure and desperation to relive the past.

There has been much controversy over the soundtrack that accompanies this movie, ranging from Jay-Z to jazz versions of Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love'.  I love the soundtrack, however, and think it effortlessly takes the audience on a journey through the film, blending both modern and old musical themes.  My personal favourites from the soundtrack have to be 'Over the Love' by Florence and the Machine and 'Young and Beautiful' by Lana Del Ray as I think they perfectly capture the essence of lost love.

Overall, I really enjoyed the film and think it is an honorable attempt on the twentieth century classic novel.  I think it is pretty evident that it is a Hollywood movie aimed at the mass market, not relying on previous knowledge of the novel.  Some may view this as negative but I don't as it has encouraged my younger sister to read the novel which can only be a good thing.



Daisy Buchanan's Makeup

Daisy wears really pretty, elegant makeup throughout the film.  First, you need to start with a flawless base so you may want to use a fuller coverage foundation and mattify it with some powder. Next, apply a little highlighter along the tops of the cheekbones and under the browbone.  Finish off the face makeup with a pale pink blusher on the apples of the cheeks, blending it out well.

Onto the eyes, and you want to lightly define the brows and slightly elongate them as Daisy has quite long brows.  Next, prime the lids and sweep a matte, grey eye shadow across, blending well.  After, apply a little of a matte, cream coloured eye shadow in the inner corner of the eye and blend again.

Line the upper lash line with a gel or liquid liner, finishing with a small flick.  Apply lots of mascara to curled lashes or apply a false set.  Finally, line the lips with a nude-pink lip liner, emphasising the cupids bow.  Then, apply a small amount of a matte, pale pink lipstick.

For more details on how to achieve this look, check out my tutorial: 

Products I used:
L'oreal Infallible Foundation in Porcelain
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle
Unbranded blusher
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Desperation, Anonymous (on lid) Buck and Naked (on brows)
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
No7 Lasting Perfection Lip Pencil in Nude
Kate Moss Lipstick in 08

Alternatively, if Jordan's more your kind of girl, then you can see how to do her makeup here: