An experience you won't forget, spoilers included.

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2004)

When I first saw this film I couldn't stand it. It was just to unrealistic, with the characters breaking into song at every given opportunity it was just to hard to get involved in the film & actually believe that it was real life. A few years after I first saw the film I sat down & watched it again. This time I loved it. I know many people who can't stand the film & would never watch it again, I know many others who adore it & watch it again & again & again. This is not one of those films that you like a little bit, this is one of those films that you either love or hate, but you have to watch it.
This film is written, directed & produced by Baz Luhrmann. Unlike other directors & producers he uses different techniques to remind the viewer that this isn't real life it is just a story, in 'Moulin Rouge' the songs. These techniques are what make his films so distinctive; these techniques are what made me hate the film at first. Once you get used to his different style of film making, you can actually enjoy the film without getting too involved.
The story is set in Paris in the late 1800's, Christian, played by Ewan McGregor, comes to the capital of Bohemian life, to live a penniless existence as a writer, much to his father's disappointment. Christian came to Paris to write a story about that which all bohemians believed in-truth, beauty, freedom & love. Unfortunately for Christian though, he had never been in love. 'Luckily right at that moment an unconscious Argentinean fell through my roof, he was followed by a dwarf dressed as a nun' From here onwards the story develops. Christian goes on to write a musical play to be performed at the Moulin Rouge, the most famous underworld club in Paris. When at the club, Christian meets the chief courtesan of the Moulin Rouge-Satine, played by Nicole Kidman. He falls head over heels in love with her & eventually she falls for him too. The clubs owner Harold Ziddler, played by Jim Broadbent, persuades a wealthy Duke, played by Richard Roxburgh, to donate some money to the club, but only on the condition that Satine becomes his wife. This story develops into a crazy love triangle, it's unpredictable from start to finish but will Christian have his happy ever after? The story starts & ends with Christian narrating it, he has written his story, his story is the book he has been longing to write for so long, the film tells his story & the story of his writing his story.
Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman work well together & in fact the most remarkable part of the whole film is probably that all of their songs were actually sung by them. The others actors credit the film & fit the characters perfectly, the only criticism I would give is a slightly pointless scene featuring Kylie Minogue.
A heart-warming story with the main theme 'the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love & be loved in return'. A story of a love that will never end, no matter what obstacles stand in its way. A film that will have you in fits of laughter one minute & floods of tears the next. A guaranteed tearjerker, with a great soundtrack, talented actors & actresses & a good storyline. Love it or hate it, it's an experience you won't forget.