Completely its own film, and very good!

Rating: 10/10 (19 June 2001)

Some movies are so unique that they seem to be the creation of a single mind, a single artistic vision, even if this isn't actually the case. Such films would include Citizen Kane, Rear Window, The Draughtsman's Contract, the recent Oh Brother Where Art Thou? and, now, Moulin Rouge. Did I love it? Yes, in spite of the frequent use of quick-cut editing (cut to new viewpoint every .5 seconds). Will most people love it? I can't say, but I doubt it.
However, with a movie like this, no one could have told me if I would like it, for no one knows me quite that well. And if I hadn't seen it for myself now, in a theater, I would have seen it for the first time on a TV set, and (after my dazzled mind settled down a bit) kicked myself.
If it helps, the trailer gives an accurate idea of the main plot and artistic style, but doesn't hint at the farcical humor, mostly in the movie's first third. However, it only gave a hint of the total impact the movie would have on me.