AN WILD EXPERIENCE! ORIGINAL and EYE-CATCHING, but not for everyone.

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2001)

Anyone expecting anything even remotely like the 1952 "Moulin Rouge" with Jose Ferrer (see reviews) will be blown away by this. I was. This was closer to something like the Ferrer version meets "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", less the sexual identity confusion so popular with some.
First of all, the cinematography and general camera work were daring and effective. Kudos to the director. The art direction was utterly fabulous and almost certain to get an Oscar nomination; the sets, costumes, and general 'look' of the film were original, beautiful, and brilliant.

The music was jolting in that much of it was from popular and rock music of the past generation - that in Paris in 1900! Offenbach's "Can-Can" was set to words and sung, but not on the floor of the Moulin Rouge club; for that we had "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" done by Nicole Kidman as Satine the club's sensuous star.
After the initial surprise at the anachronistic music we learn to adjust to it and "go with the flow". The same with the wild, often frenetic direction with over-the-top lighting.
The story and characterizations are none too deep: young writer falls in love with the gorgeous star but she is coveted by the rich duke who owns the lease on the club. True love triumphs over obstacles, but eventually tragedy results. (Anyone see "La Traviata"?). But the plot isn't the point. You want deep character studies rent the 1952 version with Jose Ferrer as Henri Toulose-Lautrec, here played by John Leguizamo, but without even an allusion to his painting prowess.
The plot might have ben more interesting had Satine and Henri (called "Toulose" in the film, just as in the 1952 version!) the undersized artist had some relationship. The rest of the acting was quite good with Jim Broadbent (see "Topsy Turvy") particularly unctious as the club's manager.
Definitely RECOMMENDED. Although I know well it is NOT for everyone and there are those who may hate it for the frenzied pace, the music, and an almost surreal feel at time - a singing moon, for instance! But I liked it; I thought it cool!
One warning/complaint. I saw this in a Cineplex Odeon theater in NYC. And the second and last reels (total of thirty minutes) were noticeable BLURRY. Bad job, Cineplex Odeon. If anyone else has a complaint just go to their web site and forward it along.