Speechless
 May 7th, 2002
Advantages:
Tons of extras
Disadvantages:
Overdone, gaudy, boring, no depth, predictable
Recommendable:
No
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Characters / Performances
Soundtrack
How does it compare to similar films?
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  xChristyx
About me:
Member since:07.05.2002
Reviews:7
Review rated by 22 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
I'm speechless with disgust. My lips are curled up as I stare in shock at the TV.. is it over? Was that it? Did I miss something? It almost comes as a shock that Moulin Rouge just turned out to be one of the worst films I'd ever seen… but only almost - it started at zero and went rapidly down hill, starting in the very first scenes!
THE PLOT:
**********
There's much of a plot? Oh.. sorry, I'll try to be subjective! Nicole Kidman is our female star, an all dancing all singing Sadine, a courtesan. Ewan Mcgregor is our male lead, playing Christian, the sensitive poet, looking for the revolution of freedom. Christian falls in love with Sadine at first sight, and after sorting out a small problem where she mistakes him for a wealthy patron, she seems to fall in love with him too. Of course, there are a few plot twists, she has to pretend she's not seeing him, and that she's in love with the wealthy patron, so he will finance turning the Moulin Rouge (which is a club), into an all out theatre. We get told right at the beginning the Sadine dies, so I'm not giving anything away there. He loves her, she loves him. She loves him not, but she's only pretending. Then she loves him again. All are happy. She dies. Oh!
I found it incredibly hard to bring myself to care! The characters are paper thin, we know next to nothing about them. The plot has no depth, it's obvious what's happening, and what's going to happen.
VISUALLY:
**********
Visually everyone seems to describe this film as "stunning". Well, I was certainly stunned, so to speak. Almost blinded by the unsightly lights and clothing, and deafened by the raucous mixing (and ruination) of several good songs. Really, there is a line that can be drawn where things are called "overdone." And this film steps over that line from the very beginning. What can be said, is it's quite original. No one has ever done something this bad before!
THE SCORE:
***********
This is a musical, and as such the music is a main feature. There are some excellent songs in this movie, for example, Lady Marmalade is a wonderful song. Smells like teen spirit is a wonderful song. But you simply cannot mix them together and come up with an even better song. You get a horrible convention defying remix that would have Kurt Cobain turning in his grave. I was quite surprised at how good Ewan Mcgregor's voice actually is, but that's about the only upside to the score. Even the lyrics are flacid and boring. THE DVD:
*********
I always prefer special edition 2 disc DVD's, and if you like this film, you'll enjoy the extras.
Disc 1: Audio commentary by Baz Lurhmann, Catherine Martin and Donald McAlpine. Audio commentary by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Audio description for the visually impaired. 'Behind The Red Curtain' footage - 8 video segments branched into the film.
Disc 2: 'Making of Moulin Rouge' featurette. The Stars - introductory segment and 5 video segments, including interviews. The Story Is About - 2 video segments, including interview with Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. The Cutting Room - Jill Bilcock and Baz Lurhman interview. 6 abandoned scenes. The Dance - video intro plus 4 video segments, interview with John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell and Caroline O'Connor. Pre shoot dances. Multi angle dance sequences - Tango, Because We Can, Coup D'Etat Multi. The Music - interviews with Marius De Vries, Craig Armstrong and Fat Boy Slim, 'Lady Marmalade' music video, MTV Movie Awards performance and 'Come What May' music video. The Design - 2 video interviews, video montage of images, 2 static image galleries, visual effects. Marketing - international sizzle reel, theatrical trailer, Japanese trailer, music promo, 7 static image galleries. Easter Eggs.
Now that's a LOT of extras!
Unfortunately, overall, I hated this movie. I can't believe I actually paid money for it.
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19.05.2005 22:07
Although you wrote your review well i think what you say is totally off. Not saying its nasty because we are all entitled to our own opinions. But i definitely disagree with everything you say in the review. The score is exceptional, as is the portrayal of the story and characters from all actors involved. It's funny, the musical scenes are amazing...you must be one of those people who aren't really into theatre etc...because then you have an excuse for not liking it. haha. Anyway, it was a well written review with lots of detail, quite harsh though here and there. I definitely think you must have seen the wrong film, although i know you didn't. You are the first person i have come across that hasn't liked the film. Surprised but its good to see you're not afraid to give your opinon even if everyone will hate you because of it. Don't woirry i don't hate you. lol
27.08.2003 17:10
Glad to see you were not taken in by the hype! I agree that this was one of the most over-rated films in recent years - one point where you and I disagree though is when you say: " I was quite surprised at how good Ewan McGregor's voice actually is.." I thought his voice was thin and rather weedy - and his rendition of "Your Song " was butchery of the first degree! Thank you for the review - it was well written and made me smile - you've got a good critical eye!
12.01.2003 09:02
I fundamentally disagree of course, but you still wrote a very helpful opinion! Neil