A first-rate movie musical, after all this time!

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2001)

First of all, this is a movie musical. So if you really don't like musicals, this movie may not be for you.
That said, I love musicals, and once I realized that direction in the movie (I did not know it was a musical beforehand), I settled into musical mode and continued. The fact that this is a musical also explains many critics' disdain for the seemingly cloying and simplistic plot. Musicals are not generally known for their complex intellectual themes. They're not supposed to be. Musicals are supposed to evoke more of an emotional response, and in my opinion, this one does an outstanding job. The bohemian theme of love above all else...what more could you ask for in a depiction of turn of the century Montmartre in Paris? I kept expecting Edith Piaf's voice to come through, wrenching my heart right out.
Moulin Rouge is fast-paced, with a continual barrage of sensory stimuli. I know that is a sore point for many critics. I love it. It gives me that much more reason to see it again, to see what I've missed. And there is indeed so much to see. The cinematography is amazing! The costumes are not far behind. But above all else, on an emotional level, this musical delivers. There are only a few moments in the entire movie that I think are a bit overdone. But they are gone in a flash, replaced with suspense, humor, or any number of whirlwind emotions as the cast jumps into another performance.
My advice is if you see this movie, go in with an open mind. Prepare for elaborate musical productions. Prepare to be sensorially assaulted. Let la vie bohÃ¨me wash over you. And I don't think you'll be disappointed. 8 out of 10 stars from me.