Marc Bolan would have spun in his grave at the abuse Children of the Revolution was put to in this film, pathetically in my view that was the most original piece in the film.
An idle Saturday afternoon and the other half suggests going to see Moulin Rouge – well it seemed more appealing than a trip to Lakeside if you know what I mean.
1. I hadn’t read the reviews or the hype, so went in with an open mind. 2. I didn’t even realise it was a full blown musical, although I was prepared for some musical element, given the topic. I don't dislike musicals as such. 3. Set at around 1900 in Paris, I thought it would be different from the usual Hollywood fodder.
Oh God, it was the longest afternoon of my life, I cringed every time they murdered another song, every single one of which was utterly inappropriate to the period.
I felt embarrassed to the accomplished actors who had to trot out the minimal dialogue, which was ruined every time it showed any danger at all of getting interesting by the insertion of yet another awful ‘song’, all of which were hits from the 1970’s, 80’s or 90’s.
What story there was in the film was given away in the first five minutes by every film makers favourite cop out – the flashback sequence – or should that be flash forward.
Put simply because there is no other way to describe the plot – it covers the tug of love between the show-girl come hooker come actress, who falls in love with the penniless writer, but must give way to her emotions in favour of the rich man who will back their production and turn her into an actress on the road to stardom and also secure the future of Moulin Rouge. Tragically she contracts consumption and dies but not before professing her lover for our hero the writer.
And if the film could have lasted as long as it takes to read the last paragraph, I’d have come away a lot happier.
No opportunity was taken to create any feel from the period, one of the most exciting creative ages from modern times – that has to be the biggest let down in Moulin Rouge, it was a complete cop out by the writers and creative team. This film could have been so much better with so little effort, or do we, the film going public not deserve, or would we simply not appreciate that extra effort.
In fairness some of the songs were delivered quite well, and the set, though very simple in Hollywood terms, went a long way to make you think you were watching a stage show rather than a film.
To summarise: The story was mediocre and drawn out. The music was totally wrong for the period. The set was corny but added to the film. No actor gave a remarkable performance – none could have. The scrip was poor Historical accuracy was not present.
No, I didn’t like Moulin Rouge.
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
Thank God someone agrees with me at last. I cringed everytime they started singing songs from the 70s 80s and 90s. It's the most embarrassingly awful cringy film I have ever seen.
julietta 06.10.2001 17:57
My parents saw this last night and share similar opinions to yours (I still have yet to see it and make judgement!) - unfortunately though, my dad does rather fancy Nicole Kidman.
GeoffreyHawkins 28.09.2001 23:43
Great op! I had bad feelings about this movie, and will certainly avoid it now. Thanks.
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...
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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...
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! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![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 28th, 2001
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