Moulin Rouge * * (two stars)
Suspend your imagination. Let a whirlwind masterpiece of the musical theater enter the film world. Figures on screen move as if on absinthe, ecstasy, and speed and all the while sit amazed at the transcendence of it all.
In Moulin Rouge innovative director Baz Luhrmann invites you into his visionary world of Paris at the turn of the century.
Only if you forget reality for at least half of this film, will you emerge content that you spent time and money in the movie theater.
In his latest experiment in film, Luhrmann tells the story of the innocent writer, Christian (Ewan MacGregor), and his courtesan beloved starlet, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Although she shines as the diamond of the show, Satine is ultimately a prostitute, selling herself and her soul to the highest bidder .
The story may at first seem the formulaic boy meets slut story so often overdone in teeny bopper movies and porn. Yet, it is through Luhrmann's innovative vision of this over-used story of love that Moulin Rouge garners acclaim.
It ventures into so many genres, the sensual world of the club of Moulin Rouge, the passionate moment when lovers meet and fall in love, and the speedy rush through tasteful debauchery.
As the movie progresses. The often slow-moving first half of the film culminates in a climax of music and heartbreak. It takes at least an hour for the lay audience to become comfortable with Luhrman's techniques. Although there are plenty of mind-altering substances that can hasten this process.
The audience is manipulated through music swells and elaborate sets, costumes, and make-up and in the interim Luhrmann's ultimate effect is achieved-- tears flow and hearts
beat loudly.
As a musical, Moulin Rouge borrows pop songs from Elton John, U2, The Police, Whitney Houston, Queen, and even Madonna. While the story could have been told with no other method than a musical, several of the popular tunes could have been selected differently.
Madonna's "Like A Virgin" simply distracts and detracts
from the heart of the film and makes it seem like a sketch comedy scene or new music video. Nevertheless, the lesser-known songs tell the other portions of the plot better than any dialogue could have done.
While Kidman glows onscreen like a flawless porcelain doll and MacGregor charms audiences with his boyish grin, supporting characters such as Toulouse, played by Luhrmann regular John Leguizamo and Zidlin the owner, played brilliantly by Jim Broadbent, make Moulin Rouge a true ensemble.
This film takes full advantage of the medium and illustrates what can be done when using every ingredient of film. Baz Luhrmann emerges as the star of the new Moulin Rouge: not simply a place of decadence and sexuality, but a two-hour romp through a cinematic utopia.
Moulin Rouge Directed by: Baz Luhrmann Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor Rated: R
