Good, but for *very* specific audience

Rating: Null/10 (14 June 2001)

I looked for a catalogue of Luhrmann's films for comparison. Turns out there's only two others, and I'd seen both. Goody. So on a highly personalised scale, "Moulin Rouge" is good, but not at the heights of "Strictly Ballroom". And perhaps not up to "Romeo + Juliet", either. So, third of three, but good, nevertheless.
The most important thing is, this film is really only geared at a very small percentage of the cinemagoing population. Luhrmann believes in *spectacle* and *music*. If you don't share this belief, nor have a background in golden-age (and silver-age) musicals, you'll be wondering what the hell is going on. Tough. It's still good for you, but I can't guarantee you'll like it like I did.
Some scenes are inspiringly good - "Roxanne" to a tango of betrayal is perhaps the high point - and others are just amusingly inventive - the clientele's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" duelling with the "hostesses' "Voulez-Vous Couchez Avec Moi" early on.
But to be more critical, the show is a bit, um, busy. The film lacks the centres of calm needed to provide reference for the viewer. The viewer has little chance to catch one's breath and form an opinion of what constitutes "normal" in this world. Without this, we're left with a kind of "anything goes" B-movie feel. But perhaps I'm getting old.
Acting-wise, the leads are good, though in different ways: McGregor is sympathetic, but little range is demanded; Kidman shows more range, but leaves a slightly cold feeling. Both sing well enough, but why for God's sake did they have to slip in "I Will Always Love You"?
In summary: go and see, but try to watch "Singing In The Rain" first.