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Moulin Rouge
Starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman this visual masterpiece of a film was released in 2001 under the Musical genre. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, who also directed Strictly Ballroom, and Romeo and Juliet. This film raises the musical genre to another level, and it is based loosely upon the original film from 1952.
Synopsis
Set in Paris in the year 1899, this film is intrinsically a tale of love between a young English poet Christian, played by Ewan McGregor who falls in love with the beautiful courtesan, Satine, played by Nicole Kidman. Satine is the star of Montmartre's infamous underworld nightclub The Moulin Rouge, and she is also the most highly regarded courtesan in Paris. Satine harbours ambitions to become a great actress, but her position as courtesan stands in her way. The penniless poet, Christian has come to Paris in search of truth, freedom, and love, which is the idealism of the new Bohemian underground movement. He stumbles upon a bohemian group by sheer chance, and is invited to join their elite set. They soon realise Christians talents as a writer, when he performs an impromptu monologue, at one of their evenings.
One of the members of the group is Toulouse Lautrec, and he beseeches Christian to write a musical
so they can sell it to the Moulin Rouge, to raise awareness to the "children of the revolution." being themselves, the Bohemians. Christian writes an extravaganza of a show which he calls 'Spectacular, spectacular!' - The clubs manager, Harold Zidler, played by the fabulous Jim Broadbent, is desperate to acquire a backer so that he can renovate, to splendour, the sadly deteorating Moulin Rouge stage, and turn the virtual brothel into a respected theatre. Zidler has already got his eyes on someone, and is priming the patron of the club, 'The Duke', by dangling the obvious charms of Satine beneath the dukes obnoxious nose, in the hope he might just take a bite, and secure the deal Zidler is after. What ensues is all quite predictable really. A dangerous love triangle between the penniless poet, the courtesan, and the Duke...But where will it all end?
MY OPINION
This film explodes into life in the opening sequence, with a spectacular display of the Can-Can, being performed at the Moulin Rouge. The spellbinding music crashes, swells, and shrieks, then abruptly kicks into the song 'Lady Marmalade,' which works fantasticaly to the raucous crowd, and the crude gryrations the dancers are performing. The magnificent costumes, drenched in vivid colours, flick and swirl, in a sea of high kicks, and cart wheels, whilst the fast zooms, and quick cuts of the camera work add frenzied pace, and rising excitement to the proceedings. This is a breathtaking display of the Can-Can, and brings to life the authentic, energetic feel, and illicit atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge in the late 1800's, and places it right there in our laps. This is an extravaganza of a film which recreates the seedy, debauched, dark underbelly of the seamier side of Paris, with it's struggling artists, drug fuelled addicts, and hardened absinthe drinkers. Known as 'The green muse' or 'The green fairy', absinthe was regarded as a mind altering drink in the 19th century, and it was cheap, and readily available, and drunk by the gallon in Paris, particularly by the destitute and alcoholics. The degeneration of the French race around the 19th century was blamed to a degree, on the mass consumption of Absinthe, and in a wonderful, musical, comedic way, this film portrays this darker side of Parisian life at that time perfectly.
The film takes on a fairytale feel, which puts it on another level. It becomes magical, dazzling, and somewhat surreal, as the two main protagonists serenade each other across the rooftops of beautiful, gilded, turreted apartments. The majority of the film is played out against the backdrop of the Moulin Rouge, and the singing also adds to the fantasy feel of the film, though the film is not too heavy on the use of songs. But when they are used they are both poignant, and pertinet. Both Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor sang their own songs in the film, and a very good job they did too, both possessing very tuneful voices. Nicole Kidman is stunning as Satine. Look out for the scene in her boudoir, when the Duke first calls on her; It's breathtaking. Ewan McGregor is entirely charismatic, and sincere as the young poet in love, and the duke, Richard Roxburgh, gives a masterful performance with excellent characterisation. Kylie Minogue is charming as the green fairy, 'absinthe', and Jim Broadbent surpasses himself in this film, and his characterisation of the Impressario is a jewel of a performance, and the whole ensemble works, and melds together beautifully. I liked the use of contemporary music, and song which are totally out of context, yet this is a process that seems to work very well, and in an early scene from the film you see Christian singing an excerpt from the sound of music, which was quite amusing. The contemporary soundtrack features songs by Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, and L'il Kim, to name but a few. The classical works are excellent, and both compliment each other, and work well together.
The story puts me in mind of Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet, both being partly, a play, within a play, and also a tragi/comedy. The scenes are lavishly set with beautiful object dart, sumptuous fabrics, and flamboyant décor, bringing a delicious visual quality to the proceedings. The artistry of the cinematography is absolutely superb. The direction is brilliant, the acting tremendous, and the music is breathtaking from start to finish. Ewan McGregor narrates the story throughout, as Christian, who is writing the story of his time at the Moulin Rouge.- I enjoyed this film tremendously for it's sheer visual beauty, and story telling style. It's amazing sets, and lavish costumes, but most of all I enjoyed it for the all round, excellent quality of the acting.-
Moulin Rouge won many awards and is a spectacular film, and I would highly recommend it to all.
The Moulin Rouge premiered as the opener to the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.
BBFC Rating: 15 years. Running Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Directed by Baz Luhrmann Produced by Baz Luhrmann Fred Baron Written by Baz Luhrmann Craig Pearce
Starring
Ewan McGregor Nicole Kidman Jim Broadbent John Leguizamo Richard Roxburgh Music by Craig Armstrong Cinematography Donald McAlpine
Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
Advantages: A vocal love story between two brilliant actors/singers! Disadvantages: If you aren't wearing waterproof mascara you'll look like a panda by the end of it ladies!
![Moulin Rouge (Special Edition) [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78491978.jpg "Moulin Rouge (Special Edition) [DVD] [2001]")
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