The whole is less than the sum of its parts

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2001)

Well, if you ever doubted the auteur theory, you should check out
"Moulin Rouge". This film is definitely the product of someone's
specific imagination, not a film made by Hollywood committee.

The first half of Moulin Rouge is very nearly a great film, with some
sequences that truly astonish. In particular, the number which sets
up the play-within-the-movie, and the stunningly funny number by
Jim Broadbent are dazzling.
However, after the Broadbent number the film simply runs out of
steam as it creeps toward its glaringly obvious conclusion. A lot of
the 2nd half could have been cut out without anyone missing
anything. I think the problem is that the film's wafer-thin plot is not
noticed during the dazzling first half, but becomes just annoying
enough as the film continues.
Still, this film is a must-see if you fall into any of the following
categories: --film buff --musicals buff --"Strictly Ballroom" buff --French history ca 1900 buff
My rating: 8/10