Pure Cinema

Rating: Null/10 (17 September 2001)

I highly regard the 1952 'Moulin Rouge' directed by John Houston which was a fictionalised 'biography' of Toulouse Lautrec. The first few minutes of the older film were sensational with stunning production design and cinematography. Though the rest of the film was melodrama, albeit superior with terrific acting and a memorable score, it did not really keep the viewer on the edge of his or her seat.
I was quite mesmerised with the opening scenes of the new 'Moulin Rouge!' and could not imagine how it could possibly keep up the pace till the end. But it managed this triumphantly with the result that I regard this film as being the most-satisfying cinematic experience I have had in a long time.
Some view this film as a musical but I think it is far more than that: it is pure cinema, creating experiences impossible to obtain through any other medium. The film reminds me of Powell & Pressburger's 'The Red Shoes'. The plots (for what they are worth) are almost identical: boy meets girl; girl is torn between boy and other interests; girl dies. Whilst the 'The Red Shoes' was pure cinema in the ballet sequence with a conventional beginning and ending (not that P & P were ever that 'conventional') 'Moulin Rouge!' is pure cinema from beginning to end. Terrific.