What Does Luhrmann Represent In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (2013)

“This kaleidoscopic carnival spilled through Gatsby’s door.” The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, is based off the novel The Great Gatsby, which is written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and produced by Warner Brothers, Village Roadshow Pictures, A&E Television Networks, Bazmark Films, and Red Wagon Entertainment. The Great Gatsby genre is categorized as both a romance and drama. Luhrmann, being a fan of novel, wanted to bring Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald's most well known character, to life. Luhrmann breathes new life into the nearly century old pages and recreates a rich, in depth universe while specifically focusing on social stratification as a overarching main theme that is supported by the use of color, lighting, and cinematography.

The social stratification of 1922 New York is visually represented by the mis-en-scѐne in The Great Gatsby by the use of color.

Luhrmann uses whites, tans, blacks, and golds to represent the upper class, which made up of both new money and old money. These colors are sharp, crisp, and chic and make up the costumes and sets that these characters live in. The lower and working class are characterized by greys, browns, and earthy tones. These colors are gritty and dirty. They surround and stick to the members of the lower class. The audience is made to lust after the lavish colors of the upper class and want to escape the filthy colors of the working class. This reaction is what makes Luhrmann’s technique so

effective.
The mis-en-scѐne also uses the costumes of characters as symbolism. Specifically, Jay Gatsby, the leading character, is initially characterized by his black, sophisticated tuxedo. Daisy Buchanan -- the leading lady and object of Gatsby’s obsession -- is associated with whites, creams, and nudes. This use of color portrays Daisy as pure and angelic. Her color characterization is most evident in her first scene in the film. The set, which is bathed in bright, seemingly natural light, is consisted of white furniture, billowing white curtains, and diamond chandeliers. Her costume is her diamond wedding ring, diamond jewelry, and an off-white dress adorned with crystals. The key color transition in the film comes when Gatsby and Daisy reconnect. On the day that Daisy is supposed to come over for tea, Gatsby is dressed in a white suit with a green shirt and orange tie. In color theory, white is associated with a new beginning, green is associated with hope, and orange is associated with joy. The use of color is not limited to these characters. Myrtle is always seen in red, which is associated with passion and seduction. This characterization is apt because she is Daisy’s husband’s mistress. Each character’s costume supports their characterization.
Luhrmann also uses cinematography to capture the theme of social stratification. Whenever a character is introduced visually for the first time, his or her introduction is accompanied by a close up camera shot. This technique allows the viewer to see where in society each character stands. Additionally, these shots emphasize the eyes of each character. This brief glimpse into the character allows the audience to potentially see past the social standing and explore the character’s soul. This is most noticeable during Gatsby’s introduction. While he is surrounded by a larger-than-life party, a grandiose fireworks show, and unimaginable riches, there is a deep pain in his eyes that is later revealed to be his longing for Daisy. The mis-en-scѐne is also accentuated by the use of long shots to establish the surroundings of each social class. Gatsby’s mansion is shown to be lavish and is accompanied with a fireworks show. The Valley of Ashes is shown to be grimy and is accompanied by smoke stacks and dirt. These techniques all work in unison to support the central theme of the film.
Baz Luhrmann uses multiple filmmaking techniques to create the theme of social stratification in The Great Gatsby. The usage of color theory, close-up shots, and long shots make up the mis-en-scѐne, cinematography, and characterization of each shot of this rich, deep film. While the romance ends in tragedy, the enjoyment continues on.

Works Cited
Luhrmann, Baz, director. The Great Gatsby. Warner Bros., 2013.
“What Is a Major Theme of The Great Gatsby?” Sandra Cisneros Biography, www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/literature/what-is-a-major-theme-of-the-great-gatsby.
Lewis, Jon. Essential Cinema: an Introduction to Film Analysis. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2014.
“Color Wheel Pro - See Color Theory in Action.” Color Wheel Pro: Color Meaning, www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html.