Cannot recommend this highly enough

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2003)

Back in 2001 when this film came out, my friend and I found ourselves outside the cinema with a choice; Enigma, that dreary-looking World War II film with Kate Winslet, or this, Moulin Rouge, which I had, after seeing the adverts, already decided was not for me.
In the end we chose Moulin Rouge and boy am I glad we did.
This is a wonderful film, with stunning sets and costumes, great music, and excellent performances.
It tells the story of a young writer who moves to Paris to be part of the Bohemian revolution. Here he falls in love with Satine, a glamorous courtesan who works at the Moulin Rouge. Complications arise when 'The Duke' gains the deeds to the club and demands that Satine be exclusively his.
Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman are delightful as the two lovers, while Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh and John Leguizamo provide excellent support.
Baz Luhrmann is a director of real visual style and flair, delivering a film that is funny and moving in turns.
Musically, Moulin Rouge! is innovative and fun, with modern songs placed into the context of turn of the century Paris - standouts are the Tango de Roxanne, and Broadbent and Roxburgh's hilarious version of Like a Virgin, although there's also a song written especially for the film, Come What May, that is beautiful.
This film may not be to everyone's taste, but I strongly urge you to give it a chance. And this is coming from someone who was resolved to hate it even before the red curtain had opened.....still haven't seen Enigma.....