moulin rouge review

Rating: Null/10 (5 May 2004)

Luhrmann succeeds again!
Luhrmann's fourth film will leave you utterly exhausted. The fast paced in your face dance routines and song performances are truly 'spectacular'. Moulin Rouge set in Paris 1900 mixes the high-class gentleman with second rate artists, bohemians and courtesans.
The film sees Christian (Ewan McGregor - Little voice, Down With Love) a young talented poet move to Paris in search of fame as a writer. He becomes entangled in a group of bohemians where he experiences the diverse magical world of the Moulin Rouge. Employed by the bohemian's, Christian begins writing his first play, which they intend to perform at the club, Moulin Rouge. Toulouse (John Leguizamo - Romeo and Juliet) the leader of the group pretends to set up a meeting with Satine (Nicole Kidman - The Hours), the main courtesan of the club and Christian. His intentions are to sell the play. Meanwhile Zidler (Jim Broadbent - Bridget Jones's Diary) the owner of the club has set up a real meeting for the Duke (Richard Roxenburgh - Mission: Impossible II), a promising investor of the club, and Satine. When Satine mistakes Christian for the duke, he becomes besotted with her and madly in love. She explains that she can't fall in love because she is a courtesan, but eventually her feelings prevail.
The everyday plot of 'will love out do evil?' is a common convention of the musical genre, but some how you seem to forget this while watching. Luhrman's direction has exceeded again, leaving you gob smacked by its constant mirage of colour and fantasy-like scenes. The use of 20th century music re-mixes such as 'Like a Virgin' and 'Roxanne' are successfully integrated within the plot, expressing the characters' feelings well. The contrast between its time period and imaginative song selection, give an original flavour to the film.
Another ingredient to the films impressive overview, is its phenomenal set and costume. Although the main characters are lower class the piece somehow proclaims class and glamour throughout.
The casting, which is somewhat unexpected, is exceptionally fulfilling. I was surprised to see Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in a musical genre but their talent as performers and singers were outstanding. The chemistry between the pair leaves you emotionally attached, which unless you have no feelings at all will be expressed at the end of the film. I think any hatred for the character Duke will advance to sympathy. You begin to feel quite sorry for him because you get to see how lonely his character becomes.

Baz Luhrmann is known for his curious fantasy like films and compared to his others, this one is no exception. Enticed by its prominent story telling structure, Luhrmann takes you into his world for roughly 127 minutes to experience an intoxicating love story, which will have you singing along to all your favourite songs!