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Member since:08.03.2001
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Ten word review: Man loves woman he’s not supposed to, all ends badly.
Sound familiar? Yes, welcome to my review of Romeo + Juliet: Special Edition, er, I mean Moulin Rouge, the new movie from Baz Luhrmann.
Comparisons to the aforementioned Shakespearean extravaganza are inevitable (the film even features a rhyming couplet or two), but this is very much a new kind of moviemaking. Taking his cue from musicals of the past and music of the present, Mr Luhrmann has created an intense mix of surreal visuals, heart breaking songs and surprising performances to make this one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve seen at the cinema in a long time.
The basic plot runs quite simply. Christian, played by Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary), escapes his strict father in England to write poetry in Paris, inspired by the Bohemian age. He believes in truth, beauty, freedom, but above all things love. Only problem is… he’s never been in love. A bizarre turn of events leads him to an even more bizarre character – Toulouse LaTrec, played by John Leguziamo (Romeo + Juliet, Spawn) and his troupe of Bohemian buddies. Christian becomes involved in writing their show “Spectacular Spectacular” for them, to be performed at the infamous Moulin Rouge night club. Here, we encounter the ostentatious Zidler played by Jim Broadbent
(The Borrowers, TV’s Only Fools And Horses) and more importantly, the star of the Moulin Rouge, Satine, played by Nicole Kidman (The Others, Far and Away).
Following a very funny case of mistaken identity, Christian privately meets with Satine, and ends up falling in love, finding the inspiration he requires to write “Spectacular Spectacular” and help make the Moulin Rouge into a respectable theatre. There’s a spanner in the works – as always (those spanner makers want to invent a rope to tie them to something). The Duke – a very funny Richard Roxburgh wants Satine to be his exclusive property. He has a stake in the future of the Moulin Rouge, and so Zidler is eager to keep Christian at bay so the show can go on.
The nature of the doomed romance is set out from the very beginning, so as in Romeo + Juliet, we expect tragedy, but must sit back, enjoy the show and wait for the inevitable. This is the main theme of the movie – if R+J was about teenage angst, then this is very much its grown up older sibling, dealing with pain and moving on as best it can.
And there is a lot of pain – mainly to the ears and eyes! This film is L-O-U-D with a capital “Owch my bloody ears!” After an impressive opening sequence (including a cool twist on the 20th Century Fox logo), and the cartoony introduction of Toulouse and his gang, we’re thrown in to the titular (and titillating) club. The absinthe fuelled punters gawp on as the Moulin Rouge dancers - the “Diamond Dogs” – run through Lady Marmalade, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend via Material Girl. This section was so loud, my head hurt… but thankfully it dies down a bit afterwards. As an introduction to the bawdy club, however, it works a treat.
The music is superb throughout, leave all memories of Ewan McGregor not being able to sing in A Life Less Ordinary behind! He belts out the tunes like he’s been doing it from the womb, and Nicole Kidman is equally impressive. The supporting cast are a mixed bag – Jim Broadbent sings Like A Virgin (it works, trust me), and later Queen’s The Show Must Go On to more dramatic effect. There are a ton of musical surprises which I won’t spoil for you, but the CD looks to become as essential as the Pulp Fiction soundtrack as a modern classic. Only John Leguziamo lets the side down as the lisping and whiny Toulouse, but he’s not so prevalent as to keep annoying you.
If I had one criticism of this movie (and I do), it would be the sheer spectacle of it. There is a lot going on, many flourishes and tricks of very stylish direction. In fact, I was so impressed by the whole package, that the inevitability of the doomed lovers seemed like a bit of an anticlimax. The direction moves around too much sometimes, and you may not feel as strongly about the couple as you could have.
You really get the sense that the entire cast loved making this movie. Ewan is top rate as ever (he was apparently more interested in the singing than the acting!), Nicole is funnier than you’d think and Jim Broadbent is both hilarious & strangely threatening. Some characters do feel a bit undeveloped – Toulouse LaTrec as Christian’s comedy sidekick is fine, but he seems to have a deep infatuation with him that is never explored, and several other people drift in and out of focus as required.
There really is nothing like coming out of the cinema after having seen a movie and feeling like you’ve been through something – this movie delivers. Everyone’s saying Moulin Rouge is like nothing you’ve ever seen. I disagree. Remember the part of Romeo + Juliet where good ol’ Leo DiCaprio goes to the Capulet ball and it’s a wild, surreal affair with gurning partygoers and loud music? This has the spirit of those scenes times 10. This offers more spectacle than Vision Express – and that’s what cinema should be… shouldn’t it?
Gauging by the audience reaction when I went, some liked it (they cheered and clapped – very American!) and some hated it (they booed and hissed – probably teenage boys not expecting it to be a musical), which I understand – this is a very different movie. However, I highly recommend not missing this experience. Don’t wait for video, see it at the cinema, make them turn the sound all the way up, and prepare (as best you can) for the best musical since… er… that Kenneth Branagh one – Love’s Labour’s Lost. Anyone see that? No, me either.
More info: www.clubmoulinrouge.co.uk
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
I haven't seen the film, yet, but I plan 2 very soon. Great op. :) x x x
BAILEY 18.09.2001 21:38
Excellent opinion, I have ewanted to see this since it was first advertised, and now, finally, my husband has agreed to take me this weekend!! Just like to add that I absolutely LOVE the Ewan McGregor/Nicole Kidman song, Come What May.
jess0910 11.09.2001 23:01
Best review of Moulin Rouge I've read so far! Ta - Jess x
Watching Baz Luhrmann's award-winningMoulin Rougeis a lot like falling in love. It is ... more
total immersion cinema and while you're experiencing it ("watching" is too passive a word) you can't imagine that cinema could be for anything else. In the harsh, obj...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Watching Baz Luhrmann's award-winningMoulin Rougeis a lot like falling in love. It is ... more
total immersion cinema and while you're experiencing it ("watching" is too passive a word) you can't imagine that cinema could be for anything else. In the harsh, obj...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Passion - filled poet falls for a breathtaking courtesan in this exotic musical love story ... more
from the unique and spellbinding imagination of visionary director Baz Luhrmann. Stunning performances from stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor fuel this movin...
Advantages: It is a journey that will stimulate your mind and senses Disadvantages: It was a bit too fast paced in the beginning, but it settled down quickly
Advantages: Visually spectacular, great songs, amazingly funny chaotic film Disadvantages: may be too in-your-face for some people, the story isn't very original.
![Moulin Rouge -- Two-Disc Set [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78237871.jpg "Moulin Rouge -- Two-Disc Set [DVD] [2001]")
![Moulin Rouge! [Special Edition] (2001)](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/97375302.jpg "Moulin Rouge! [Special Edition] (2001)")
Sep 10th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
