Moulin Rouge!
Baz Luhrmann is perhaps one of the few directors whose films are a hotly anticipated. Creator of the “Red Curtain Trilogy,” Luhrmann’s films are not only full of heart and soul, but are colourful and visual feasts with a wicked soundtrack. Luhrmann appeals to all great senses and if there were such thing as smelling movies, all would be lavishly scented with the best of perfumes. Being a previous theatrical director, there is no denying that Luhrmann has successfully brought the stage to the screen. No film, then, in Luhrmann’s catalogue embodies this more than the 2001 juke box musical Moulin Rouge!
(He is such a pervy moon.)
Starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a young writer, Christian, moving from England to Paris in order to be inspired and write great stories. Struck by writers block (as he has never experienced love) he soon finds himself embroiled in the Bohemian lifestlyle when a narcoleptic Argentinean falls through his roof. Swept under the wing of Toalouse LouTrec, he is a pivotel part of their plan to get their stage project financed by Moulin Rouge! owner Harry Ziddler. A series of events happens and Christian is mistaken for a tempered Duke by famed courtesan Satine. The two soon fall in love that is forbidden, dangerous and testing. Can our lovers survive their passionate lifes at the Moulin Rouge?
Moulin Rouge! is a phenomenal movie. What Luhrmann does is create a fantastical world that is rife with a spectrum of colours. Filling Moulin Rouge to the brim with as much sparkling detail as possible, Luhrmann and his team create a film that is visually stunning. The costumes are great as the prostitutes and dancers of Moulin Rouge embody pleasure and sin. The dresses that Kidman where are beyond spectacular. This only heightens the ridiculously incredible set design. Inspired by India and France, Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin made the movie a wildly imaginative movie using the idea of lust and fantasy to drive the art direction forward in an abundance of colour. Whether or not you are invested in our story, your eyes will come alive at this outstanding movie.
But Luhrmann does not stop there and adds a plethora of great music to the mix to get you singing along. While there is few original songs here (including the bloody brilliant Come What May,) the songs from artists such as David Bowie and Queen actually infuse well within the plot. As the character burst out Elton John, you are invited to join in and feel the lyrics of the songs with the plot. Luhrmann uses many well known songs to dramatic effect and uses them to heighten the emotion. While others are camp treats, others are darkly enthralling. El Tango De Roxanne, a mix of the tango and the Police’s Roxanne is just a fine example of storytelling through song. As it is juxtaposed by an attempted assault on Santine by the jealous Duke, the song is less about the song itself but the story it is telling.
Moulin Rouge! is a well produced, finely acted powerhouse of a movie. It will can-can its way into your life and leave you breathless. You may end up hating the McGregor and Kidman here for their ability to not only be intensely good looking, but can sing, dance and act. Moulin Rouge! is a film with a big racing heart that matches its energetic exterior. The climactic scene will have to awash with so many emotions too, it is a powerful ending. This is a story about freedom, beauty, truth but above all things love. Because love is like oxygen, love is many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong and..
All you need is love.
TTFN
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