A superb reappropriation of classical musical

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2001)

A wonderful reworking of the classical film musical of the 1940s and 50s (like "An American in Paris"), "updated" for younger generations. It blends a very sentimental, but touching story, familiar songs, and a 50s musical setting with a visual esthetic reminding that of video clips. The film is based essentially on the fact that the viewer already knows all the elements of it (we know from the first scene on how the story will end, the setting, characters, and occurring conflicts are familiar, as is the music). The film seems to aim to be the "non plus ultra" of film musical, it contains everything this genre - as well as other, related genres like video clips, revue movies, historic melodramas, and even animated Disney flicks (check out the green fairy scene or the singing moon!) - have to offer. It succeeds in this in an amazing way, due to the perfect screenplay, the good choice of music, the absolutely wonderful photography (has any actress ever seemed so beautiful on film as Nicole Kidman does here?!), and the stunning editing. A must-see, especially for those who are interested in film history and like to be overwhelmed by the visual richness of a movie.