Brilliant. Spectacularly Brilliant.

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2003)

Never have I seen such a movie that was so spectacular. To me, Moulin Rouge! is the epitome of the modern musical. I think that Baz Luhrmann is an incredible genius to have revitalized the musical in films today, succeeding where many others have failed (i.e., Woody Allen). It begins as a story about a penniless English writer named Christian, played by Ewan McGregor, goes to Paris to be inspired, circa 1900. He is befriend by Toulouse Lautrec, played by John Leguizamo, and introduces him to the decadence that is the Moulin Rouge nightclub. There he falls in love with a courtesan named Satine, played by Nicole Kidman. It is a beautiful musical, and the movie takes you on a whirlwind of colors and songs, sometimes letting you forget that Satine and Christian are doomed lovers to begin with.
I'm surprised that this movie didn't pick up an Oscar for Nicole, especially for Best Picture, instead losing out to the particularly bland 'A Beautiful Mind'. I'm also surprised that the Academy didn't even nominate Baz Luhrmann with an Oscar for Best Director, and the biggest crime that they committed was not even mentioning Ewan's brilliant performance.
Even Nicole has talent in her ways, and this was probably her first most noticeable role as a leading lady, it is Ewan who truly carries the film. You can see throughout the film there are times where she's unsure of herself, being in a musical, especially when she's singing, but it is for Ewan that you most sympathize with. He is the one who is able to handle best the flexibility of the many emotions of Moulin Rouge!, and is the most talented vocally.
Many people were astonished to hear that these actors could sing. I wasn't that surprised when it came to Ewan McGregor, because I had heard him sing briefly in 1996's Emma. Even Sir Elton John was so amazed by Ewan's performance of his song, 'Your Song' that he predicted that he could have a very successful career as a recording artist.
And of course, there will be endless comparisons with Moulin Rouge! and Chicago, especially after this year with Chicago picking up several Oscar awards. People have critiqued Moulin Rouge! as extreme, and unoriginal. I guess it's because that historical references being dated into more modern movies is something that Baz Luhrmann has done before. I honestly feel that Moulin Rouge! in its own way, more original than Chicago. The only thing that is unoriginal, are the songs, in my opinion. Chicago the musical, itself has been around for decades, and some consider the film a revival, not a new idea.
Also Baz has explained in the past, fearing that his 'musical' would not be accepted, saying that one of the reasons he used modern pop songs in his movie was to carry it mainstream. He felt that he had to use modern songs, for a musical to be accepted in modern society.
And of course there were times that I felt when they broke into song, i.e., 'Like a Virgin', it felt a bit silly. And I remember watching in the movie theater, when they started with 'Roxanne', people were giggling in the audience; when it was supposed to be a serious moment in the film, referring to the disastrous effects when you "fall in love with a woman who sells herself." Of course there were beautiful moments and songs in the movie, like with its only original song, 'Come what may'. There will be times that it might upset the audience, but according to Baz, he has his reasons for it.
I can only hope that Baz can continue making musical movies like this, because Moulin Rouge! is one of my favorite movies of all time, regardless of how many times I've seen it. No one else can make decadence look this glamorous; and rarely