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Moulin Rouge 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
PG-13, 126 min. (sexual content) |
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
Producers: Fred Baron, Martin Brown, Baz Luhrmann
Screenplay: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Released: 6/1/01 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
The musical genre, a staple of the film industry in the 50's and 60's, has been all but extinct in the past decade. But this type
of film hasn't lost its ability to enthrall an audience, as evidenced by Moulin Rouge, a colorful musical set in 1899 Paris.
Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman give strong performances as a writer and a courtesan - not only as actors, but as singers as well.
Their voices are recognizable - they're not someone else's - and that makes the film even more effective. Although fast-paced,
bright, and loud, Moulin Rouge is a fun and a surprisingly engaging film that will not disappoint even the most ardent
pessimists of the musical genre.
Christian (Ewan McGregor) arrives in Paris a poor writer with no prospects, until he meets a dwarf bohemist named
Toulouse (John Leguizamo), who convinces him to help their group of Bohemians write a play for them called "Spectacular,
Spectacular." Toulouse arranges a meeting with the star of the Moulin Rouge (a popular underworld club for the rich),
Satine (Nicole Kidman), in order to convince her to star in the new production. However, they must help the club's owner,
Zidler (Jim Broadbent), convince the wealthy Duke of Worcester (Richard Roxborough) to finance the show. The duke
agrees to help finance the production on one condition - he must have Satine all to himself. Much to the dismay of Christian,
who has fallen hopelessly in love with Satine (and likewise she with Christian), Zidler agrees to this condition. Of course,
there are many musical numbers between Christian and Satine that express their love for each other, and this is part of the
film's strength. The pinnacle of the film comes at the end when the production is in full force - and the resolution for Satine's
love is revealed.
The film is so "in-your-face", that the audience is continually teetering on the edge of disenchantment with its characters. It's
a risky gamble by director Baz Luhrmann, but fortunately for him, it works. We are bombarded with colors, costumes,
and wild music (some of which is sampled from today's greatest hits), and while you may be taken aback at first, it soon
becomes comfortable and then enjoyable.
The chemistry between McGregor and Kidman is real, which is critical in this film (and most musicals for that matter), and
their individual voices seem to blend seemlessly into one smooth performance. I was especially impressed with Ewan's
voice - who would thought it was that good? And Nicole Kidman gives easily one of the best performances of her career
as Satine, a stunningly beautiful and intelligent courtesan who uses her voice and men to get what she wants - an acting
career. Both were already fine actors, but they have elevated their careers to another level with this film.
There's also another major character in the film - it's the music. Music writers Craig Armstrong, Marius De Vries, and
Steve Hitchcock have accomplished inspiring and moving pieces of music - every song except for maybe one were
coherently in step with the film's direction and theme. The best numbers are duets with Christian and Satine - they are
exceptionally strong here.
Moulin Rouge is not the typical musical that many people have grown to love - it is contemporary and bold; a combination
that could easily spell doom for many other musical endeavors. But this film accomplishes its goal of pushing the envelope of the
musical to the edge without sacrificing its heart - it's still a musical, albeit a different kind of one. To be honest, I was a bit
skeptical going into the theater (admittedly not a big fan of musicals myself), hoping that I wouldn't be bored to tears. Far from it,
I was captivated by the story, music, and overall spectacle of big colors and magic that make this film one of the more
enjoyable two hours spent in a theater this year.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
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| Masterpiece - Classic; Movie perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See; One of the year's best films |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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