Set Design at It's Finest!

I finally went to the Great Gatsby movie. I was pleasantly surprised after all the negative reviews. Maybe I was more interested in the house and clothes than the actors but I liked the movie. The set design by Catherine Martin was incredible and the director Baz Luhrmann's vision was stunning. 


Even though I'm not a huge DiCaprio fan I thought he did a good job. Carey Mulligan was awesome! I loved her clothes and that diamond headband was to die for. I understand that Brooks Brothers made all the men's clothes for the movie and the jewelry was from Tiffany's. 

The sets were all constructed to look like estates in New York but the film was shot in Australia. These beautiful houses were all sets. They did use a Seminary for the exterior shots of the house. 

                             Notice the JG initials at the bottom of the pool. 

His 2 story bedroom - quilted walls. 

 Seeing all the clothes during the party scenes was well worth going to the film. What extravagant filming - 100's of extras! 

Gatsby's exterior view. They digitally added the ivy. 

                       Loved the bohemian seating arrangement in the grand hall. 

                                     Another shot of the bedroom - love the Art Deco floating bed

Tom and Daisy Buchanan's house

The living room. Catherine Martin the set designer has her own website with custom rugs and wallpapers that are reminiscent of this era. 

Catherine Martin

Here are some examples: 

Wallpaper

Carpet

Back to the movie - Buchanan's living room

Buchanan's Dining Room

The hotel in NYC 

The 1974 movie with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow has always been one of my favorites. It is interesting to compare the 2 movies. 

The sets were different but notice how the clothes were similar - same white suit. 

This looks like Marble Hall in Newport. 

More Baroque than Art Deco. 

I have always loved this pool and the draperies. That was something I missed in the new movie  - along pool instead of round. I'm not sure why but that change bugged me. 

                                               Same yellow car and the pink suit! 

This looks more like the Plaza hotel to me than in the modern version. I think I've stayed in a room just like that one. Nick Carraway is played by Law and Order's DA, Sam Waterson. 

Even the clothes are all pastel.  

All in all I loved the movie and will watch it again when it comes out on DVD. I might even buy it for my collection. 

Happy Movie Watching .........