Heart breaking, soul shaking LOVE
 Oct 8th, 2001
Advantages:
Brilliant story, characters, acting, music and done in a whole new way
Disadvantages:
If you don't like musicals, it's not for you
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
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Characters / Performances
Soundtrack
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  drusilla
About me:
Apologies for the lack of opinions lately. I've been on holiday and had a spot of writers block. I'm...
Member since:13.01.2001
Reviews:70
Members who trust:60
Review rated by 85 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Baz Luhrmann has done it again – reinvented a flagging genre and given us a cinematic experience (and that’s the only word I can think of to describe it) that we’ll never forget. Moulin Rouge is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Its opening is a queer little man singing in introduction in the corner of the screen and a sweeping camera shot through the streets of Paris to a grimy looking hotel. From this dreary setting we move straight into a lively, vivid night out at the Moulin Rouge. It is the beginning of a visual masterpiece alive with colour, sumptuous set-pieces, pounding music, and action so fast paced you’ll have a job keeping up. The overall effect is breathtaking, vibrant, surreal and striking.
The story is about a talented young writer, with an obsession with love. The year is 1899 and Paris is the place to be for Bohemian lovers of art and music. Naturally, it’s the one place Christian (the before-mentioned writer - Ewan McGregor – A Life Less Ordinary, Stars Wars: Episode 1) wants to be. By chance, he meets with a bunch of odd-balls who are rehearsing a musical play in the apartment above his, the first of its kind to be performed at the Moulin Rouge. Consequently, he gets roped into writing it but first must convince the owner, Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent – Bridget Jone’s Diary, The Borrowers). Toulouse (John Leguizamo – Romeo + Juliet, Die Hard 2) and his other new friends arrange a private meeting with the Moulin Rouge’s ‘Diamond’ showgirl Satine (Nicole Kidman – Eyes Wide Shut, The Others), to enchant her with his poetry. Unfortunately, the inevitable happens and they fall in love. This causes a problem, as Satine is bound to the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh – Mission Impossible 2), a rich and powerful fuddy-duddy, who is financing the masterpiece in return for sleeping with Satine on the opening night.
Christian uses their own tragic love story as the grounds for his show ‘Spectacular Spectacular!’ and the stories move in unison, and finally merge, with Christian and Satine playing out their fates in front of an audience. Moulin Rouge is not only about a bohemian society, it’s also about everything that society stands for: beauty, truth, freedom and above all, love. As far as I’m concerned, the love portrayed here is more profound and intense here, than in Romeo and Juliet even, and is a solid foundation to build a truly great story upon.
Despite this simple theme, it is quite suspenseful and keeps you guessing all the way through, as to whether love really can conquer all, as every character seems to have a different theory about the way this emotion works, especially in a harsh world like the one this is set in. It is interesting to see how Satine and Christian’s love has a personal impact on each of the characters. Music plays a larger part than I had imagined. In fact, there’s probably more of it than there is dialogue. You’ll see pop classics from the last 30 years remoulded and rewritten, and combined with other songs in an extremely effective way, as well as including a whole host of new numbers written especially for the film, each one uniquely powerful, exhilarating and moving.
It also helps that most of the cast have a talent for singing and dancing. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor have phenomenal voices which compliment each other perfectly, and those heartrending duets certainly left a lasting impression on me. They also put in very strong performances in the acting department, as do all the cast. I felt strongly about all the characters and a measure of sympathy for each. I cannot express enough how compelling and convincing all the actors were and how ideal they were for each of their parts. Unless you hate musicals, I promise you’ll love it. A plausible love story, stunning visual effects and plenty of laughs - this one is unforgettable and UNMISSABLE. A true classic.
© drusilla
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25.06.2009 22:31
Quite enjoyed this film - was very impressed with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman's roles
17.11.2001 17:39
I cant wait to see the film now! Excellent opinion!
17.11.2001 17:33
Excellent opinion.