“Moulin Rouge” is set in 1899 in Paris, France staring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, in many people’s opinion this is the best film of the year. It is definitely an action packed film, its funny and countless people couldn’t help but cry in the closing scene.
The story begins with Christian (Ewan McGregor) at his typewriter writing the story of the infamous Moulin Rouge and his one and only love Satine (Nicole Kidman). This leads to the opening scene of the Moulin Rouge. Baz Luhrmann (the man who brought us advice on sunscreen in the form of that number one hit) definitely loves having every part of the screen jam-packed with action and this is apparent from the first scene inside the infamous Paris club Moulin Rouge. You will be hard pressed to try and tear yourself away from the screen. He is really a truly talented director. He also directed ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Strictly ballroom’ The young English poet Christian is adopted by a group of bohemian actors, (including John Leguizamo who turns up as Toulouse Lautrec and is very flamboyant) after a great mistake involving Satine and the Duke of Worcester (Richard Roxburgh). Satine is so desperate to become a serious actress, she agrees to lie to the duke about wanting to enter into a relationship with him so that he will fund Christian’s production ‘Spectacular Spectacular’ and turn the Moulin Rouge into a theatre even though she truly loves Christian. This is an ironic story line as it is true to their lives but only the duke can’t see it. The duke realises the secret affair between Satine and Christian and he demands that the ending of the production is changed and some of the content is so that he is not made to look stupid as everyone else would see how naïve he was. Satine discovers that if Christian ever goes near her again he will be killed and she tells him that’s its over between them to save his life. There is a cruel twist at the end of the film as Satine finally is told that she is dying. You are told this at the beginning of the film and it unfortunately spoils it as you are literally waiting for her to die.
The story line is a bit thin and easy to follow; it’s a love story that is doomed and end in tragedy but the great camera work draws you into the film! It’s as if you are watching a live performance and you feel like you should be applauding at every moment. There is so much audience participation as people gasp, laugh and even cry.
Luhrmann has skill fully modernised the original film by using songs from the present day and this adds to the comedy, hearing songs of the 1980 and 90s with such a backdrop. These include Elton John's ‘Your Song’, ‘Roxanne’ by the Police, Nirvana's ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and ‘Like a virgin’ that the fabulous Jim Broadbent (Harold Zidler, the owner of the Moulin Rouge) performs just a little bit over the top. In most of the scenes communication is through singing. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman have amazing voices that blow you away.
If you don’t get captivated in the first 10 minuets you might as well go home as you either love it or you hate it… its well worth your money just to find out.
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
This doesn't really sounds like my kind of film - I think I'll give it a miss... Justin.
roons_y 20.10.2001 12:11
Can't understand what there is not to like about this flick. If you don't like musicals don't go to musicals! I agree with you top film, top op
litebite 17.10.2001 23:49
Thin storylines are what musicals are all about. They're all style over substance, which make this one a success. But it just didn't have anyhting new to hold my attention (i.e. new songs)
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...
![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)")
Oct 6th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
