Rating: 
Summary: How wonderful life is now you're in the world....
Review: Not being a particular fan of musicals of any sort, I was suprised by my enthusiastic embrace of this one. Nicole Kidman is incandescent in her performance as Santine, a dying courtesan who finally has found someone who loves her for her herself. McGregor is spectacular himself and emotes incredibly well as Christian, an idealistic young poet who has fallen in love with the Bohemian lifestyle and with of course Santine. The rest of the cast is unbelievable especially the actor who played Toulouse, he was also Benny Blancho from the Bronx in Carlito's Way. He is a great very overlooked young talent. Moulin Rouge is visually stunning and an emotional rollercoaster with lots of over the top humour and a beautiful love story. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Bad Critics: Lighten you attitudes and your heels!
Review: ...It's a remake first of all and secondly they tell you the enitre story during the performance of spectacular spectacular! However, Baz uses this to his advantage by putting layer upon layer upon layer to transform the simplistic plot into a sensory overload. From using the exact same lines within the movie and the play within the play, to the tango paralleling the characters events, Baz uses different forms of expression to convey to the audience the emotionality and significance of what is taking place. I happend to appreciate the camera angles because every time I see this movie I catch something I didn't the first time. For example, every time Satine has a relapse the camera flashes a split second image of her death scene. I enjoy the paradox presented within Satine singing about dreams dying while in the shadow of the symbolic bird cage. I LOVE that the speech impediment inflicted Toulouse is assigned the task of saying the most important line in the entire film to which for ONCE he does not slur his speech!! I also like to recognize the things the audience doesn't think about while watching the film. For, example..the fact that Toulouse was going to be playing the part of Maria in the sound of music?!?!?! And just the pure concept of a Narcoleptic Argentinian tango dancer!! C'mon? How can you not laugh at that?!?! I think that Richard Roxburgh does an AMAZING job at portraying the duke as a pathetic yet psychologically demeted duke that is both evil and hilarious! Talk about character development!! My conclusion is that those who find they cannot appreciate this film don't really know what they are talking about. Yes, it is very melodramatic and over-the-top, but that Baz makes it so that EVERYTHING is over-the-top makes it work! The term "red curtain" means that you are "watching a movie". It is not suppossed to be real!! So just kick back and enjoy for cryin out loud. You have to understand that this is a musical...it is not going to be anymore reality based than an english babysitter who flies around on an umbrella and dances with penguins. As far as the music goes, I think they did a wonderful job with witty lyrical exchange. I personally would have done anything to be a part of this production. Kudos to everyone involved! I have never seen a movie in which I liked Nicole Kidman's character, but she was surprisingly amusing in this film. I had no idea she could be so funny. Of course, Ewan McGregor is beautiful and maybe I just love the movie so much because I secretly lust after him, but... The point of my boring ramblings is that this movie holds on to the Bohemian in all of us and no matter how hard we fight it, it insists that we leave believing that love above all is the answer. Everyone at some time in their life has dealt with that feeling of heartbreak and tried to flush all romantic ideals from their head. If it wasn't for movies like this, altough the theme may at times be considered naive, people might forget that it's okay to let go of all the world's sorrow and misfortune and dream a little. I used to think that people with their head in clouds were childish and naive. But if there is one thing to be learned from this film, it's that having the courage to hold on to your dreams and believe in love with all your heart is truly a wonderous and beautiful thing; that which people should encourage in each other, rather than scorn.
Rating:
Summary: Completely and Utterly Original
Review: Before I begin this review- let me say that those of you who hated this movie don't appreciate it for what it is. It is incomparable to anything else- that is what makes it great. Look closer at the film. See its unique blend of slapstick, macabre, romance, lust, and music. If you still hate it, Ok. As I walked into the theatre I was prepared for something very odd- in the style of Romeo and Juliet (by the same director- horrible movie) but darker and hopefully- better. What a treat. Luhrmann shows his Burtonesque side wonderfully with quick camera moves and a moving score with the night being used to convey life. The plot is somewhat old- a man and a woman who can't love each other do. But this plot mocks itself in the play that the two write about their own lifes. Kidman's character is an untouchable beauty ruined by her profession- prostitution. McGregor's character is a struggling writer who meets very strange folk that lead him to his love. This film recieved both acclaim and criticism for its use of modern-day music in a early 20th century time- but this keeps the audience from sinking into a boring historical fiction romance story point of view. It keeps the characters and story alive and adds tongue-in-cheek humor to the mix. In conclusion, this trip down the rabbit hole is a dark, tragic, yet joyful tale of freedom, truth, beauty, and above all things, love.
Rating:
Summary: Sparkling movie!
Review: I am thoroughly embarrassed to say as a 37 year old, bitter, crabby, uninspired divorcee, I have seen this movie 7 times! From start to finish, I was stunned! Have NEVER liked Nicole Kidman in anything before, now have a new respect for her. Who knew she could sing? Fell completely in love with Ewan McGregor. My children are so tired of the CD, they actually ASK to go visit their dad when I turn it on (ok, just kidding there). The frantic pace of the movie turns a few people off in the beginning, but stick through the first 1/2 hour and find yourself mesmerized. I saw it on opening day, and the theater was full. I was near the back and noticed for the last 45 minutes, not one person in the theater moved a muscle. All 500 of us collectively gasped and cheered without provocation. I heard open sobbing, and people clapped when scenes and songs were done. I am visiting Paris in the fall, (without my children) and both are upset that I will get to see the actual Moulin Rouge. Utterly Fantastic! Now I just need to know how to scrape the money together for a big screen HDTV, as I know that when the DVD is released, I will need one!
Rating:
Summary: The Moulin Hit
Review: such wonder only comes once in a year
Rating:
Summary: The theaters are alive with the beauty of Moulin Rouge
Review: What can I possibly say that hasn't already been said about this film? Nothing, probably, but I'll give it a whirl... Moulin Rouge really is like nothing you've seen before. I won't dare just call it a movie. It's a piece of art, it's live theater, a fantasy, a complete celebration of pop culture, but most importantly, a moving love story. Moulin Rouge tells the story of a young, penniless poet named Christian (Ewan McGregor) who comes to Paris to write about "truth, beauty, freedom, and above all things, love", when he is befriended by a group of Bohemians who are dreaming up a musical called "Spectaular, Spectaular". Their only problem is getting the money to produce the show, and a good writer. The latter is fixed when they find Christian has a great talent for writing some of the greatest songs written ("The Sound of Music") So the Bohemians drag Christian off to the Moulin Rouge where he meets and falls in love with Satine (Nicole Kidman) who is the biggest star (and most highly paid prostitute) at the French can-can club. Christian and Satine fall in love, but it's not without problems. In order for "Spectaular, Spectaular" to recieve funding, Satine is sold, along with the Moulin Rouge, to an evil, rich Duke. And thus, the plot is set. The telling of the story is what makes this film so special. It's all about the music. The plot is old as time and loosely based on myth but have you ever seen this story played out with songs by Nat King Cole, Madonna, David Bowie, The Police and Elton John all at one sitting? I didn't think so. The songs are edited in such a way that they do what all musicals aspire to do: to heighten the story in a seamless, emotional way without the "oh God, they aren't breaking out into song again, are they?" cringe factor. I have seen many musicals in live and film form and I have to say this is the first where I didn't feel that feeling coming on. The only feeling I felt was one of amazement that Luhrmann made everything work so well: the can-can girls calling out "Lady Marmalade" lyrics while the male patrons answer with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Satine's sparkling entrance which is Marilyn ("Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend") meets Madonna ("Material Girl"), Christian's declaration of love in the stars (Elton John's "Your Song"), the amazingly seamless "Elephant Love Medley" sung by Christian and Satine contains pieces of 10 pop songs, the over-the-top version of "Like a Virgin" which features dancing waiters and the breathtakingly intense tango version of the Police's "Roxanne". So far I've seen it 5 times, and I hope it won't be the last. I dearly hope the Oscars will take note of this film - the acting (which is the most important thing in films) is top notch. Nicole Kidman plays all her cards right and stuns the audience up until the last curtain call,but Ewan McGregor is the real star of the show. I don't think I've ever seen an actor put so much real visable emotion into a role. Lush and colorful sets, stunning period costumes and a cast full of beautiful and talented extras, Moulin Rouge MUST be heard and seen. Go....NOW!
Rating: 
Summary: Forgive me
Review: Let me word my thoughts nicely: I thought the movie was too awkwardly put together, and not interesting enough to keep my attention, and I have a greater attention span than anybody else I know. The soundtrack wasn't my thing, and since this is a musical, it means I would be pretty well screwed. It seems that all of my friends at school that are in Theater or Vocal Ensemble, and my "connections" on the West Coast really loved this movie. Meanwhile, everybody else I know hated it. So maybe that has something to do with it. I strongly advise a rental of this movie, whenever it becomes available, because this is clearly the kind of film that only appeals to a small group, and not general audiences everywhere. But maybe that's stating the obvious...
Rating: 
Summary: Loved it.
Review: If you like Musicals, you will love this movie. It has love and a lot of sense of humor. Can't wait for the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: What to say that hasn't been said...
Review: I don't know that I can add anything that most people have written thus far about the AMAZING Moulin Rouge! In an age of action and science fiction...it's yesteryear feeling, and transition of classic contemporary songs pulled off this year's most Oscar-worthy film. Ewan McGregor (my new true love) outshines so many of the Hollywood machine players with his sincere and utterly believeable portrayal of Christian. And Nicole Kidman only improves upon an already spectacular career of daring films. I had never felt so invigorated by a film in so long...I was breathless and anxious throughout, and the music and magic carried me through the film, and out the door as I left the theatre. I immediately went to the nearest store and purchased the soundtrack...which, needless to say, has been in my car for WEEKS. Long live the Moulin Rouge! Only France, and more specifically, Paris, could help inspire the most mesmerizing of films. Bon Jour!
Rating:
Summary: GIVE THIS ONE A REAL CHANCE....
Review: This is one film, I thought I would walk out of...starts slow leading one to believe this will be a real artsy film..BUT WOW, does this film grow on you. The music is wonderful, the dancing first rate, all wrapped in a love story. You will laugh, you will cry, you will smile. A got to see film and my favorite of the year!
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