Gatsby’s New York

I recently went to see the motion picture Gatsby which got me thinking about life in New York City during Prohibition – imagine, a national ban on the sale, production, and transportation of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. Basically, we’re talking about a painfully long nationally mandated body cleanse and not the spa treatment kind.  Rather, a period of time in our nation’s history of clashing values that sparked a great deal of illegal activity, violence and, some debouchery. Bit like today actually.  I enjoyed this  feature film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel more so than the Redford/Farrow version. Director Baz Luhrmann who directed Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet provides the audience with some delicious movement and eye candy in my opinion.  In spite of what critics are saying, folks are buying loads of tickets to see the pic. Perhaps there’s a real need for a bit of 1920s escapism? DiCaprio does a fantastic job portraying the mysterious bootlegger.  The party scenes were amazing and I especially enjoyed JayZ’s soundtrack work.  Of course, I love the way Luhrmann portrays New York City with such great style mixed with some 20s grit and, of course, Gatsby behind some fancy wheels with his posse as they some of the town’s iconic spots including a retro Plaza Hotel.   Check out the film, see it in 3D, visit some Gatsby inspired spots in New York City and throw yourself back into the 1920s for a spell.

“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!”
― F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Great Gatsby