My wife and I have plans to see Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby tonight. I’m not discouraged by the film’s 48% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes — that seems perfectly appropriate for a love-him-or-hate-him filmmaker like Luhrmann.

I’m sure the film will be over the top, even ridiculous, at times, but I’m equally sure it will have moments of transcendent beauty. Luhrmann’s films are always in danger of flying off the rails, but they do so spectacularly — that quality is the key to their appeal.

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