Moulin Rouge SPECTACULAR! SPECTACULAR!

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2004)

Fantastic movie! Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor went out on a limb to do a musical version of Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor's CAMILLE. The movie is heavily based on the latter's love triangle (wealthy Baron, courtesan and poor lover), even down to Garbo's coughing spells and eventual death with her lover holding her in his arms. Even "I will love you till my dying day" dialogue. I was astounded how the "Christian" character used Robert Taylor's famous throwing francs at the ailing Garbo denouncing that his "summer of love" with Garbo was a joke, obviously hurt.
Other than the similarities between the two flicks, Moulin Rouge takes it a step further with music. I was excited to hear music I grew up with throughout the movie. It made one stay tuned to the flick. It drags a bit with the "Like A Virgin" scene (nonsense).
Other than that "Come What May" was original to the movie and very touching, especially near the end. I was very surprised to know that Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor did their own singing and did it well! Why they both didn't grab an Oscar I will never know. Acting is important. Dancing is important. Singing took it to another level. You have to prize people for being that talented in all three areas at one time.
The movie is an extravaganza for the eyes and ears. Nicole Kidman is gorgeous and Ewan McGregor is fabulous in his role. They make the movie what it is.. It will become a "classic" before the decade is out. They will be written in history as the screen's best lovers. Their chemistry was "real" to the viewer. Maybe it is because they know each other personally as friends? Anyhoo I was glad to be able to view this flick and give it a double thumbs up.
I recommend "Camille" as a "go along" with this movie. But I have to admit Moulin Rouge brings the old MGM classic to color and breathes more life into it.