two words: spectacular! spectacular!

Rating: 10/10 (10 June 2002)

Before I saw this movie, I heard that you either love it or you hate it...I LOVE it! I can understand why some people don't like it...after all, it wasn't anything like what I was really expecting (I hadn't looked into the summaries very much). If you try to take it seriously, then you may become irritated with the use of late-20th century music in a film set in 1900. Or maybe you are offended by the parody of the Sound of Music (which happens to be my all time favorite movie) or the operatic rendition of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" or the medley of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with Fatboy Slim's "Because We Can" or John Lennon's "All You Need is Love" with Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." However, I challenge you to look beyond the dates and titles and just let the movie take you along for the incredible journey. It's amazing how well it draws you into the atmosphere of the Moulin Rouge and, if you're like me, then when it's over, you will surprise yourself at just how into it you really were. I was amazed by the overwhelming amount of emotion, intrigue, and dazzlement that I experienced while watching this film. It captivated me more than any other recent movie. It truly is a film that captures the essence of the Bohemian ideologies of truth, beauty, freedom, and above all else, love. Watch this movie, and be reminded that "the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."