Spectacular Spectacular

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2002)

`Spectacular Spectacular' is the name of the musical-within-the-musical, and it absolutely describes the film itself. I have been a fan of Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain films (Strictly Ballroom and Romeo & Juliet), but this is by far the best of the three. The film is so beautifully shot, it truly is a feast for the eyes. The frenzied pace of the editing gives the audience a feeling of the frenzied pace of the bohemian life. The costumes and sets are amazing and colorful and passionate and provocative. They are bawdy without being tacky. The dance numbers are very well choreographed and very well executed, especially the tango sequence. Luhrmann's direction, along with the editing, make the numbers fit in to the story naturally, helping to tell the story, without the typical `song and dance' feel of traditional musicals. The music is mixed and scored very well, fitting in modern music to a timeless story. The one original song, `Come What May,' is beautiful and haunting. I've had it stuck in my head for weeks. Kidman's and McGregor's voices compliment each other, blending in the harmonies and standing out in the solos. The story is hilarious one minute and heart-breaking the next. The script is wonderfully written, with dialogue that is easy to understand yet not contemporary. But the performances make this film what it is. Nicole Kidman is luminous as Satine, the Sparkling Diamond. She is a beautiful, tragic, fabulous heroine who sings like an angel (who knew?). As for Ewan McGregor, the word that best describes him is YUMMY. I had no idea he had such a powerful voice, and the range of emotion he shows in this film is incredible. The chemistry between these two is fantastic. You can almost feel the love they share and the pain they feel. Jim Broadbent is larger than life as Zidler. John Leguizamo, of whom I am not a fan, is impressive as Toulouse-Lautrec. Richard Roxburgh steals every scene he is in. Watch him closely when he is not the main focus of the scene (`My dear, a little frog!'). His body language and facial expressions are hysterical. This film is visually stunning, emotionally titillating, moving, stirring, and just plain good entertainment.