A magnificent film that left me struggling, happy, and sad

Rating: Null/10 (2 September 2002)

Can't really review it without some spoilers, so consider yourself warned. I've always wanted the musical to make a comeback in a big way so when I read Moulin Rouge recieved a 6 minute standing ovation at Cannes, I was thrilled. When Missy, Mya, Christina, Pink, and Lil Kim's "Lady Marmalade" hit the ground at number one, even winning best video of 2001 at the VMA's, I was teary-eyed to say the least.
And when the movie was nominated for 8 Academys, and Nicole and Baz both won Golden Globes, I was SO happy... especially when I add in the fact that Nicole's husband had publically ditched her by that time. But all this was before I watched it.
Once I did, I was stunned.
Obviously visually, it was to die for, fashion wise as well. Cinematically, it is a masterpiece and a monumental accomplishment for everyone associated with the film. The love story was also a real surprise here. Not that it had one, most musicals do. I just never expected it to pack a real punch. And I certainly never expected to want to see the two lovers just as much as I wanted to see the musical numbers. But I did. I really cared about them outside of the numbers.
We're the choices predictable. Yep. That's cause it is an old story. But is that a bad thing in and of itself? No. Because Kidman and McGregor are so genuine, you actually fall in love with them as a couple. From the minute he sings "Your Song" I don't want to see her with anyone else but him. This is a huge testamant to all the talent on this film.
They were smart in avoiding the things that stop musicals from becoming commerical sucesses-- especially when you consider the fact that they chose a period piece...which usually means bad box office.
But they mixed contemporary music and original songs, ALL recorded with a 2000 drum track that is very familiar to any person that listens to music, automatically leaving you with one foot squarely in the NOW.
You could probably tell, I'm a singer/musician.
This is why "Lady Marmalade" was such a hit, but was also able to be used in the movie.
The choices of song combinations were ingenious, amazing...and right.
"Roxanne" and "El Tango"? "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Lady Marmalade"? "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend" and "Material Girl"?
How many times have I sang "Your Song"? How many times have I heard the words "how wonderful life is, now you're in the world"? But they meant nothing to me until Moulin Rouge. Now I hear those words and think how beautiful they actually are, and how I always took them for granted. Not anymore though.
Baz was right to mix the music, though I can see how some people might have wanted a more traditional version of the musical with all new songs.
Re-invention just doesn't work that way sometimes.
Then there are my favorite orginals If I Should Die and Come What May
There are those that criticized Nicole's voice in this movie but she sang "If I should die" ...that very short song, to perfection.

It automatically brought tears to my eyes. I can't find the words to adequately describe how her performance captured the tragedy we all know is coming, but keep pushing to the back of our minds.
It was haunting.
And "Come What May"...what do you say? The moment Satine uses this song to make Christian let her do what she has to do to save the show, whispering "come what may" into his ear and he pulls himself together and walks away from her, Moulin Rouge became my all-time favorite movie.
When they sing this song for the last time, when Christian walks down that aisle hollering that he will always love her, I was laughing AND crying because I knew that there is only one more thing left to happen and there's no more putting it off.
Like I said, Baz's musical choices were the right ones, successful re-invention doesn't always translate to convention.
And the acting. Nicole Kidman had my mouth dropping open in awe of her acting. I just never knew she had that many facets inside of her. And Ewan McGregor? He alternately had me laughing, admiring him, and cheering him on. As well as breaking my heart. His heart-rending wail at the end of the movie, ripped me to shreds, I was sobbing with him.
And hence my dilemma. I expected tragedy, not necessarily heartbreak.
The movie's strongest theme were the ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, but above ALL things, love.
An idea so simple it is mind-blowing. Especially now, when there seems to be so much hate in the world.
A great theme to have an audience leave the theatre with.
Above all things, LOVE.
The problem is that we are left SO heartbroken over Satine, Christian's and our own loss, that we lose the positive message of the movie...at least at first.
It took me hours before I was ready to even think of the positive messages cause I was too busy wiping away tears.
If I have any major criticsm of the movie it's that it left us with too little.
One line at the end saying "A love that will last forever" just doesn't seem to be enough to ease the pain Just a little more would have helped alot.
If, let's say we see Christian walking down the street and his book "Moulin Rouge" in the window of a bookstore, reminding us that he did as Satine asked and told the world their story...or him taking her bird out to the park or something, and setting it free, honoring Satine and reminding us of how she always said she was going to fly away, then I would be hurt, but not heartbroken.
The movie is still worth it though and is an instant classic. But the best thing I can say about it is that it does leave you with hope after the tears, and the ideals of the movie do takeover the forefront of your mind. All in all, a great film and a profound movie experience.