Moulin Rouge is surprising to say the least; it takes risks that immediately open it up to criticism, supplying stunning visuals, flamboyant melodies and excessiveness that borders on the dangerous. It is designed to be head turning, and at times with its dizzying speed it seems foolish, almost ludicrous as we almost fall into the kaleidoscope that is Moulin Rouge.
Set in Paris during the turn of the century, we enter the sordid nightlife of the Moulin Rouge, an almost surreal experience that combines imagery and eroticism to provide an opulent experience for the willing audience. Ostentatious performances abound as we are treated to a stimulating vision of Can-Can style dancing mixed with modern routines.
Nicole Kidman stars as Satine, a lady of the night who dreams of stardom and fame. We first meet her during a long and frantic opening which creates a medley of modern show tunes and hit songs such as ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend’ and ‘Material Girl’ – it’s
interesting to point out here that these songs were originally sung by Marilyn Monroe and Madonna – many people have mentioned how much Madonna has modeled herself on Marilyn. Nicole surprises with a very good voice that although not quite in the same league as classical singers, manages to convince the audience that she is in fact a player in musicals. Nicole perfumes well as Satine adding a very sultry feel to the movie while still showing us a belief and quality that transcends her lowly position in life and promises much more.
Ewan McGregor plays Christian, an idealistic young writer who is both innocent and immature while holding an air of naivety that is perhaps a little unreal in 19th century Paris. Ewan’s performance is exceptional; his voice is excellent and many would think that he is a trained performer – occasionally you do note a quaver in his voice, but mostly his range is excellent and his power and control superb. Ewan plays Christian as an almost obsessive young man; his passion and love are his most important elements and this is clearly visible throughout the movie.
John Leguizamo plays Toulouse Lautrec who mistakes Christian’s poetry and his burst into the ‘Sound of Music’ as the signs of a great writer. He decides that Christian will write his next play. John performs admirably as the famous Lautrec; his over-the-top performance establishes Lautrec as a larger-than-life character that somehow parallels the real Toulouse Lautrec.
The story enters a parallel story where the play reflects the reality that exists in Moulin Rouge. Satine becomes the central character in both as she falls in love with a lowly character while being pursued by men of high status. All throughout the movie, her health seems in question and this does form an obvious part of the dramatic ending.
The story has elements of Shakespeare’s tragedies (perhaps most resembling Romeo and Juliet), although the storyline is far simpler and easier to follow than a typical Shakespeare movie.
The movie really was a movie of two parts; the first half was a dizzying kaleidoscope of music and vision that both confused and dismayed the viewer as they became lost, not really understanding what was going on. The second half slowed dramatically, becoming a softer and gentler production gradually drawing the audience in, making the first half make more sense.
As you move through the movie it is obvious that much of it is meant to be tongue in cheek – the ‘Like a Virgin’ is particularly funny as it is almost transferred into an operatic comedy song with a very strange dance.
Whether or not this movie is a classic is very hard to define; there is no doubt that it is one of the most amazing musicals ever to have seen the big screen. The combination of 19th century France and the inclusion of modern day songs (ranging from The Beatle’s All you need is love, to Sting’s Roxanne) is incredibly clever and although a little fast at times, the movie melds together well. The arrangement of the music is weird at times, and often it takes a while to recognize a tune (one of Erasure’s song’s is very well hidden).
Overall the movie was a pleasant surprise and does become very watchable; not everyone will like it though, it’s one of those movies that you either love or hate. As long as you like a movie that is a combination of ‘Sound of Music’ and ‘Monty Python’ then you should like this!
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Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
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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...
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from the unique and spellbinding imagination of visionary director Baz Luhrmann. Stunning performances from stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor fuel this movin...
Advantages: Great songs, direction and performances Disadvantages: Having to watch it in a cinema with people talking restlessly because they can't be bothered to pay sufficient attention!
![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)")
Jun 4th, 2002
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