About me:All quiet on the Heather review front. I am carefully crafting two reviews at present (sub text I ha...
Member since:18.04.2002
Reviews:5
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Review rated by 24 Ciao members on average: very helpful
I wish I could. Now this must be a record, me, writing two reviews in one week, but after watching this video last night, the film was so good I was compelled to write a review today.
I love Baz Luhrmann's work, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo and Juliet are two of my favourite films. Actually I can't quite remember why I didn't see this film in the cinema, probably couldn't get anyone to go with me (everyone 1 2 3 awe poor heth). To be honest I am quite ashamed it has taken me so long to see it on video, anyway last night after writing my Scooby Doo review I sat down to watch it.
Now I have admit the first 15 minutes were quite hard to get into. I thought the film had to settle itself in, it jumped around a bit and I can't deny, when Ewan McGregor first breaks in to 'the hills are alive with the sound of sound of music' it just felt odd. However once the plot gets in to the 'Moulin Rouge' that's when everything starts falling in to place and the film really kicks off. The plot is very good and utterly absorbing throughout. Once the initial shock
of hearing Ewan McGregor has passed, the way Baz Luhrmann weaves the lyrics through the script is amazing. My favourite scene has to be when Satine and Christain are on top of the elephant (I thought it was so good that I watched again straight away) I could swear by the end of it my heart was beating faster (note probably heartburn must cut back on Dorritos). I also loved the scene where the Argentinian sings Roxanne, the tango how sexy can you get.
Now to the actors. I just seems unfair to single out single performers, since all the actors and actresses, even the supporting cast, but I shall. Ewan McGregor turns in an excellent performance as Christian, and I was astounded at how good his singing voice is. He grabs you and takes you on the rollercoaster of emotions that Christian goes through. I never really thought of Ewan as attractive before this film but I do have to admit that he is fairly fanciable. However someone who I definatly wouldn't kick out of bed is John Leguizamo. Playing the part of Toulouse La Trec, he spends the whole film on his knees although this doesn't stop him giving a throughly wonderfully eccentric performance. Jim Broadbent is larger than life as Zidler and definitely deserved his BAFTA and his 'like a virgin' is a joy to watch. Finally Nicole Kidman finally shakes off the shackles of Tom Cruise and Days of Thunder. She is brilliant as Satine and the on screen chemistry between her and Ewan McGregor is thoroughly believable. As I said before the ensemble cast is excellent and there is no one who lets the cast down.
Now to say the cinematography, costume and set design is good would be a serious understatement. By the end of the film I felt as if I had just eaten a seven course banquet for the eyes. The use of models mixed with sound stages mixed with CGI was amazing and it was lesson to all film makers on how special effects and CGI should be used. The two scene which sweep from the train station to the window of Christian's apartment is amazing.
I usually deal with my opinion of the title sequence of a film at the start of my reviews, but to be honest like the rest of the film these were impeccable extra brownie points were earned by doing the closing titles as well. Titles should not be tagged on they should lead you into the film and if you want to do it properly as Baz Luhrmann has, then you put a full stop on the end of your film by doing the credits as well.
Finally the soundtrack just helps pull the film together as the perfect package that it is. Drawing on inspiration from various decades, it achieves Baz Luhrmann's ambition to make a musical for the 21st Century. I really liked the fat boy slim mix for the can can.
From speaking to people that saw this film, they either loved it or hated it. Obviously I fell into the first category but I can understand why some people didn't like the film. As I said the first 15 minutes of the film are very difficult to get in to and it some of my friends couldn't get used to the characters breaking into song. However I do feel personally that even if you didn't like the plot, the actors or the music, the production values are so good that they are almost bewitching. Words to sum the film up? Mesmerising, exuberant, sexy, sensuous, stunning and romantic. Well that's what it says on the back of the video box and hell, who am I to argue with that.
My last comment on this film would be, if you are a big romantic soft touch like me make sure you have a box of tissues for the final scene. Pathetically I cried like a baby although not as much as I did when Dr Green died in ER, boy that was a killer.
is 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...
is 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...
![Moulin Rouge -- Two-Disc Set [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78237871.jpg)
![Moulin Rouge! [Special Edition] (2001)-CD](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/97375302.jpg)
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24.12.2002 17:04
I loved this film and thought your opinion was excellent.Bee
27.07.2002 18:54
Well explained. I don't think this is my type of film though, and your review has helped to reinforce that notion! Thanks, Luigi.
25.07.2002 10:55
Good opinion. I saw MR after reading a Ciao opinion and did enjoy it :) >Daniel