This may be one of the defining films of the decade . . . .

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2001)

I rarely write these reviews, mostly because I am rarely moved enough by a film to actually have enough to say. However, after seeing Moulin Rouge, I find that I must comment on it, and possibly on it's place in our society.
Most of the other reviews have mentioned Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor's voices, and they are entirely correct. Both of them harken back to an era when movie star were entertainers and not just media concoctions. Less evident but equally important in this film are there acting talents, both of which are prodigious. John Leguizamo pulls off his usual fantastic job, while the other actors are more than equal to their tasks.
There are three other pieces to the film that are extremely important, tho. The first, and probably most obvious, is the music - from sweet, to grand, to gutter, the sounds of this movie will blow you away. It's intriguing how it's done, as most musical have entirely (or mostly) original music, while most of this one is new versions of old songs, and medleys, and bits and pieces, and lyrics set to incongruous music. It's almost as though the story is being played out through the top 40 radio of the past 30 years, and it works admirably.
Secondly, the costumes and set design. One could not work without the other, but together, they create some of the most beautiful visions I've seen on screen in a long time.
Thirdly is Baz Luhrman himself. Unlike many directors, he is completely present in the film, and you feel his personal involvement in this project more than in either of his previous movies (Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet). Yes, he's somewhat self indulgant, but if it works, this isn't a problem, and it works very well here.
If I have any complaint about this movie it's the pacing at the beginning - very, very slow initially, then frenetic. However, it's like a rollercoaster - it builds and builds until the first drop, when everything goes wild and, in the best cases, you experience red shift.
I'm going to have to see this movie again, to see if it inspires me as much the second time around.