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Summary: Romantic Comedy, Musical, Drama, all in one
Review: The movie Moulin Rouge was a fantastic movie starring a good-looking man, Ewan McGregor, with a voice that just made my heart melt, and Nicole Kidman, also beautiful with a great voice. They had a chemistry that really made them seem like lovers and that showed that they are both extremely talented actors. I highly recommend this movie for music lovers, and anyone that loves or will ever love.
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Summary: Close up and go home.
Review: Close the studios. Sell the cinemas. After this breathtaking cinematic experience, what's the point in making any other film. Simply the best film I have ever seen.
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Summary: "Moulin Rouge" is a Superb DVD Advertisement, but...
Review: Anyone contemplating to see this movie should consider waiting for the DVD and CD editions. The movie itself is irritating and incoherent. The actors are required to utter lines so inane as to be embarrassing. The romantic duo of Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, though, is a winner. John Leguizamo successfully portrays Toulouse-Lautrec. The single most important role minimally holding together "Moulin Rouge" is that of Zindler, the pimp-theater owner played by the excellent character actor Jim Broadbent. The leading stars possess more than enough talent to carry out their singing responsibilities. The love story is only mildly interesting, and has been done better many times previously. "Moulin Rouge" is admittedly visually stunning. Nevertheless, the occasional virtues of the film don't begin to justify the patience demanded to view it until the dreary end.The DVD edition of "Moulin Rouge" will allow you to ignore the banal scenes while enjoying the beautifully choreographed musical numbers. Movie producers today seek myriad revenue streams to justify the cost of their investment. Regrettably, a mindset has been inevitably fostered that often perceives the actual movie of no more importance than the accompanying ways of earning a profit. Almost certainly that is what occurred in this particular situation. The movie "Moulin Rouge" earns a mere three stars, but I suspect the soon to be released DVD will deserve five.
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Summary: What was this movie?
Review: I saw this movie for the first time around a month ago. The film ended with typewriter spelling out The End, and the theater remained silent for maybe 30 seconds. Finally people began to get up and leave. I walked out to my truck with some kind of dumb smile on my face, almost like shock. What was that movie, that one that seemed to take you away for a whirlwind of comedy, drama, and incredible music? It was something totally new to me. I drove home literally in silence, just thinking about that new form of filming art that I had just witnessed. Then, the movie grew on me. The story is about Love. The rest I won't bother to talk about, save for the poor writer falling in a forbidden love with a prostitute star in the infamous night club, Moulin Rouge. The film is put together in a way that seems very odd, and maybe even nauseating in the first fifteen minutes, jumping form cut to cut to a new angle, then a new one. But, once you accept the way Baz used his creative genious to edit and put together this movie, you can appreciate it and let it take you away to a new place. I'm not one for musicals, mostly, such as The Sound of Music, (I'm not saying anything bad about that movie, mind you) but this is a new form of film musical that will leave you breathless. I thought it was ingenious the way that Baz used well known, modern day songs and seamlessly spliced them together to form something this original. The love story is not something totally original, or the plot involving the Duke, but it is not meant to be. The love story in the film is a classic one, and the characters in the story make it believable. The cinematography in the film is beautiful. The way Baz used the slow motion in some sequences or just for single shots, or even using slow at first then speeding up to normal in a single shot was perfect. It fit the film. The color and lighting and moods the film has are incredible. Now, lastly, I want to say that Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor surprised me. I had no idea that the actor I only knew from Star Wars was as talented as he is when it comes to vocal song. And Nicole Kidman is now ranked among one of my favorite actresses, not just because she can sing as well as she can (which is incredibly well), but also because she makes this film as dramatic as it is. Her expressions and movement give Moulin Rouge something it would not have otherwise had. Together McGregor and Kidman form something very special indeed. This film should most definately be an Oscar contender, and I would not be surprised if it would go on to win many. We still have Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings to deal with, so I won't predict any Best Picture winnings yet. But go see this movie, or better wait for the DVD. I know it will be great!
Rating:
Summary: Flashy but ultimately empty
Review: Like A Knight's Tale before it, Moulin Rouge uses anachronistic music to tell its story. Unlike A Knight's Tale, however, Moulin Rouge actually makes it work from time to time, but it's not enough to save the movie. Set at the famous nightclub in 1899 Paris, Moulin Rouge tells the story of the love between Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young, idealistic writer, and Satine (Nicole Kidman), a dancer who is also the most sought after courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. Also on hand are artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo), Zidler (Jim Broadbent), owner of the Moulin Rouge; and the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh), who is besotted with Satine. Director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann has created a pretty but uneven movie. The costumes and sets were eye-popping; I only wish he'd decided not to use a Roto-Tiller to edit the movie. Was there a reason why Luhrmann couldn't focus on a dancer for more than one or two seconds? The first half-hour was particularly tough to sit through, all sound and fury. The pacing is problematic, too: after rushing at breakneck speed through the first two acts, the movie lurches from plot point to plot point in the film's final third. The ending felt both rushed and static: the final scenes involving Christian and Satine were slow to the point of being inert, but everything else was hectic and jittery. It felt as if they'd run out of time and couldn't decide how to end it. There was a remarkable lack of chemistry between Kidman and McGregor, or for that matter, anyone else. For all of the gape-mouthed guffawing and rivers of tears the movie shows, it just felt icy to me. I just flat didn't care because the movie's central relationship left me so unmoved. McGregor seemed earnest enough in his role, while Kidman's doomed, consumptive Satine was beautiful but just too remote for me to warm up to her. (She also suffers from "Ali MaGraw in Love Story" disease -- the sicker she gets, the more beautiful she gets.) But boy, she sings and dances as well as any healthy person. Oh, and if anyone can tell me what purpose Toulouse-Lautrec served in this movie -- aside from rattling on about "the Bohemian ideal"-- I'd sure like to hear it. Plus, it would have been nice to see more than two minutes of "Spectacular, Spectacular"--they spent almost the entire movie building it up, yet we're shown virtually none of it. Luhrmann also repeats some shots ad nauseam: the pull-way-back, pan-left, zoom-way-in sequence, for example. I lost count of the number of times Luhrmann pulled that trick or its variations. And what was with the annoying sound effects scattered throughout the movie? If I see a dancer executing several quick jetés, I know he's performing a series of leaps; I don't need to hear "doink-doink-doink" on top of it. It just took me right out of the moment. Luhrmann's musical choices are hit-or-miss, as well: some are genuinely cringe-inducing ("Your Song" and especially "Like a Virgin" -- ugh!), while two are beautiful to the point of transcendence ("Roxanne", "The Show Must Go On"). The stars' singing voices are pretty but bland, especially McGregor's and Kidman's. I ho-hummed through their duets. Jacek Koman's Unconscious Argentinian, however, possesses a wonderfully rough, passionate voice that brought the pain and misery of "Roxanne" to wonderful, delirious fruition. So, to sum up this too-long review: Moulin Rouge could have been so much more than it was, but Baz Luhrmann just couldn't pull it off. And that's a shame. My grade: C -terry-
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Summary: One of the best films of the year! A true triumph!
Review: One of the best movies of the year 2001 dances across the screen as "Moulin Rouge," the latest film from director Baz Luhrmann, kicks it heels into the air and never stops moving, whether it be a stunningly photographed dance sequence or the sweet incantations of love and adoration. The movie takes a little time in gathering up momentum, but once it gets off the ground, the result is truly amazing and, overall, surprising. In his previous outing, a new spin on the story of Romeo and Juliet, Luhrmann failed by keeping old age dialogue in a modern-day setting. Here, the setting is kept in Paris, 1900, in a section of the city where prostitutes and brothels line every street. Arriving to this desolation is Christian (Ewan McGregor), from England, who hopes to find inspiration for his writing. After meeting four unconventionally dressed men and befriending them, they devise a play together, and decide to take their proposal to the Moulin Rouge, Paris's most well-known hot spot. In his beginning of the movie, including a fantastic opening sequence complete with parting curtain and newsreel titles, Luhrmann casts the city in a dark light, which is completely obliterated once we venture with Christian into the Moulin Rouge. Here, our visual virtuoso director brings on the style and visual acuity, and keeps it coming when you think you've seen all there is to see. With bursting colors, dazzling outfits, and beautifully choreographed dance and song numbers, this portrayal of the famed night club is the best to date. Venturing into the club is a new experience for Christian, whose life is forever changed when he lays eyes on Satine (Nicole Kidman), the club's most popular courtesan. The club's owner, Zidler (Jim Broadbent), plans on using Satine's advances to gain an investment from the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh). Through mistaken identity, Satine winds up seducing Christian, who begins speaking poetry until she realizes her folly. Once the real duke arrives, the two of them, along with Zidler and Christian's friends, convince him to invest in a monumental play that would ultimately transform the club into a theatre. The Duke, however, has his reservations. He demands that the deed to the Moulin Rouge be handed over to him, as well as Satine, who has become the object of his jealousy more than his affection. This puts complications on the romance between our two lovers, who soon must come to a crossroads. This, coupled with the fact that Satine is fatally ill, combines in a dizzy, frenzied climax of suspense, passion and truth. All these characters come to life under some very intricate performances, in both the main and supporting casts. McGregor is full of emotion and depth, bringing to life Christian's overwhelming feelings of love for Satine. Kidman is able to carry off Satine's change of heart when she realizes she is in love with honest emotion, along with many other emotional twists along the way. Under the helm of Roxburgh, the Duke is the perfect villain, while Broadbent's Zidler is segues from manipulative to caring. There are so many elements and filmmaking techniques to this film that are completely enamoring and full of vision. The photography and stylized visuals, for one, add to the fast pace of the movie where regular camera tricks would otherwise fail, while the setting-within-a-setting angle wonderfully contrasts the way in which the Moulin Rouge seems so exuberant while the rest of the city appears dull and lifeless. But the real showcase for this film are the intense dance sequences, amazing costume designs, and a modernized soundtrack that shows no shame in showcasing songs from modern artists. This combination of the past and the present works quite nicely, taking such songs as "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "Material Girl" and combining them into a medley to accompany some eye-popping, breathtaking costumes and energetic can-can sequences. The climax of the movie, without giving too much away, is magnificent, one of the best of its kind. It keeps us waiting in suspense, and even once that suspense subsides, the finale resolves in an emotionally charged tour de force of love and devotion. Surpassing many other attempts to bring history and present-day culture together, "Moulin Rouge" is a film that deserves the praise it has received as well as more. Luhrmann has created a postmodern gem that brings out all of our emotions with its superb acting talent, magnificent visual style and visceral energy. One of the best films of the year!
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Ever
Review: This movie was the best movie I have ever seen. Great voices, great acting. I never really liked Nicole until this movie. I never really knew Ewan until this movie. He is very cute, and I love his voice. I love that they did something to the movies never done before. The dorector make's his movie's so different from others. I wish I could meet Ewan. Well, this is my review. THE BEST MOVIE EVER!
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Summary: LaBoheme for the MTV generation! Fantastic!
Review: A super-imaginative romp through the Bohemian underground of 1900's Paris. The story loosely follows the plot of LaBoheme. Doomed lovers, a jealous Duke and, of course, the famous eye candy of the Moulin Rouge itself entwine to create a riveting story. Unlike musicals of the past, "Moulin Rouge" uses the music to tell the story, rather than stopping the story and breaking into song. Yes, the music is modern and done in a "cheesy", tongue-in-cheek manner, but it all works together to entrance and captivate the audience. A gritty, gravelly version of "Roxanne" (by The Police) is done to an intense Argentinian Tango. WOW! Amazing! The acting and singing are top notch! This is one movie you will either completely love and want to see again and again or it will make you want to leave the theater early (or shut off your DVD player!). Be adventurous!
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Summary: NAKED WOMEN!!!
Review: Knew that'd get your attention. No, no nude women to be found in Baz Luhrmann's ripfire-paced homage to love, joy, tragedy, and a long-dead genre of film, which ironically enough was among the biggest when the art was fledgling.Images appear and disappear in such a gatling gun sequence through McGregor's English writer's mind, propelling their audience into a wholly immersing and utterly beautiful world it's a shame to ever have to leave. WHile bashed by ...critics for its irreverent use of music created decades after the film's time, I found it only contributed to the already inecscapable dreamworld of blazing colors and vibrant movements and strangely lovable confusion. As a lifelong Nirvana fanatic I couldn't help but chuckle at the techno-butchery of Gen-X anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Nicole looks as delicious as ever, now with a new sensual nectar about her with the knowledge of her current availability. Masterful filmmaking and nothing less. The true best picture of 2001.
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Summary: Genius is a tricky thing
Review: Whenever I try to describe this film, I inevitably find myself stumbling over the words. Stunning. Mesmerizing. Like nothing I've ever seen before. Genius is, by its nature, challenging. Unlike most of the so-called "art" being foisted on us, most of it merely a re-telling of last year's top-grossing film with the same predictable dialogue, "Moulin Rouge" is astonishingly daring, brazen, stunning - and unapologetic, for which I love it even more. It may possibly redefine the term "fast-paced", particularly when it comes to camera work and editing. As far as the performer's work goes, Ewan McGregor has made me a fan for life with his work in this film. "Moulin Rouge" is seen through his eyes, and he must convince the audience that he is absolutely giddy with first love for Satine. Were his lines spoken with less reverence, less enthusiasm, we wouldn't believe him. Instead, McGregor inevitably reminds us of the first time we fell in love - how the whole world looked different, how it seemed as if everything were possible. He's a powerhouse actor, and it shows in this film. On top of having a delightfully impressive singing voice, his acting never wavers; even when he's singing to Satine, his love for her just shines. Kidman is visually stunning in this film. The ice-skinned beauty is required to be adept at vaudeville slapstick one second and the embodiment of a smoldering temptress the next. Fortunately, Kidman has the acting and vocal range demanded by this work, and should be lauded for her performance. Her performance during the final segments of "Moulin Rouge" are riveting, overwhelming moments, and she plays them to perfection. I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It is unlike anything you have ever seen. Leave your cynicism at the door. If you prefer to dress it up as "realism", leave it outside, too. Instead, take a chance. Allow yourself to let go and simply experience this film. It will resonate with you for weeks to come.
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