Do you remember the movie The Great Gatsby? If so, you probably remember Robert Pattinson, who played the charismatic and debonair Jay Gatsby. Well, here’s a rare chance to see the actor/musician in action as he plays the piano for his adoring fans. You’ll see just how talented this young man is as he plays some of the most recognizable music in movie history. Let’s take a trip back in time to see this legendary performance by Robert Pattinson.
First Impression
Most first impressions are based on appearance, and the flashy persona that Jay Gatsby projects in The Great Gatsby is no exception. With his sharp suit and perfect hair, Jay Gatsby immediately struck me as a man of the world, a man who had everything. What is interesting, however, is that he possesses an awkwardness in his body language that belies the confidence he projects. This is a man who seems more at ease in front of a microphone than he does on the golf course, which implies that he doesn’t necessarily feel like a celebrity, but instead, that he recognizes himself as one.
A Room Of My Own
It is interesting how much space this man gives himself when he walks into Daisy’s house. He takes the piano bench and cradles it in the center of the room, which affirms how important music is to him. It is ironic that he would choose to play the piano in a room that is technically not his own, because the piano is actually a symbol of his independence. The fact that he doesn’t play an instrument indicates that he is not truly independent and that he needs other people in order to express himself. This interpretation is supported by a still from the movie where we can see that he is missing a left hand, which points to him being either a hemiplegic or having some form of motor neuron disease. Either way, he is certainly not the strongest person in the world.
Why Is Jay Gatsby So Special?
With the exception of some of the original compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven, every song in The Great Gatsby is a cover. This is pretty cool when you think about it. They didn’t just pick any old songs, either. Beethoven’s compositions were selected because they were closely related to the period in which the story takes place, and even some of the songs were only used once.
This shows how much respect the makers of the movie had for Beethoven and his music, which is probably why he was the first classical artist to ever earn a nomination for an Academy Award. So, it would be a great pleasure to see an Academy Award-winning performance by Robert Pattinson.
The Most Famous One
If you have read any of my previous articles, then you know that I’m a huge fan of Ludwig van Beethoven. Not only do I enjoy classical music, but I feel that it can be used to great effect in movies. Especially when dealing with themes such as romance, sadness, and loneliness. So, it should come as no great surprise that my favorite scene in The Great Gatsby is when Jay Gatsby sings one of Beethoven’s most famous songs, “Ode To Joy.” It’s a touching moment between the charismatic and self-absorbed Gatsby and his lover, Gisele. We as an audience can identify with their plight, as joy and contentment seem so far away. The best line in the song goes like this:
“Weird, but true. All artists are egotists, and I’m no different. You’re one of the very few people that I’ve ever met who makes me believe that we’re both sane.”
That last line, alone, sums up the entire movie. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, Jay Gatsby refuses to accept that he is insane, but instead, sees himself as a perfectly normal individual who is simply pursuing his dream. When people are depressed or feeling hopeless, that is exactly the kind of message that they need to hear.
An Unforgettable Performance
As I’ve already established, I love Ludwig van Beethoven and have thought deeply about his music and the effect it can have in movies. One scene that still haunts me is from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. As the tornado rakes the town of Oz, sweeping it away, we glimpse the faces of the people in the audience. They are all Beethoven fans, and they’re all in tears. I want to cry, too, because the performance that follows is something to behold. As the wizard spins the great orb, the camera focuses on the faces of the audience, and we can see that they are all in tears. It hurts my heart to think about how much this must have meant to the cast and crew involved, especially since it was a complete cover of a famous Beethoven song:
“Dur-durrrrrrrrrrrr……choo-choo-choo-choo……waiting for the train, going home. It’s a cold and lonely ride, and I’ve been here for hours. In all likelihood, I’m going mad, sitting here, waiting for a train.”
The song continues, and the people in the audience sing along, tears running down their cheeks. I have never been more proud of a group of people than I was of that audience at that moment. They were showing how much they believed in the message of the movie and were proud to be associated with the work of such a reputable artist.
The same cannot be said about some of the other moviegoers, though. Jay Gatsby’s former classmates, for example, are openly jeering at his attempts to play the piano, calling him a fraud. It is this dichotomy that makes The Great Gatsby such a poignant and unforgettable piece of cinema. It’s a rare talent to be able to connect with an audience on this level, and I for one, am thrilled that Robert Pattinson was entrusted with the role of Jay Gatsby.