Film Review: Moulin Rouge! (2001)

about 1 year ago

(source: tmdb.org)

Concerns about decadence of Western civilisation at the end of 19th Century, embodied in phrase fin de siècle, in some way corresponded with Y2K and millenariast anxieties a hundred years later. The parallels between two periods caught attention of at least one film maker. That was Australian director Baz Luhrmann who used it as an inspiration for his 2001 musical Moulin Rouge!.

The plot begins in 1899 Paris. Protagonist is Christian (played by Ewan McGregor), young English writer who came to famous bohemian quarter of Montmartre in order to fulfil his ambition and create grand work about “truth, beauty, freedom and love”. Christian meets group of other bohemian artists, led by famous painter Toulouse-Lautrec (played by John Leguizamo). They want to recruit Christian for the grand project – musical drama “Spectacular Spectacular” which they are pitching to Harry Zidler (played by Jim Broadbent), theatrical producer and owner Moulin Rouge, the most popular night club and theatre house in Paris. Bohemians, on the other hand, don’t know that Moulin Rouge is financial trouble and that Zidler would like to obtain financial assistance from powerful Duke of Monroth (played by Richard Roxburgh). To sway the Duke, Zidler tries to set him up with his club’s greatest star, beautiful courtesan Satine (played by Nicole Kidman). Circumstances, however, make Satine mistake Christian for the Duke. This misunderstanding results in Christian and Satine falling helplessly in love with each other. Their professional and romantic relationship is under the shadow of Duke and the secret that could permanently end their happiness.

Moulin Rouge! had its premiere at 2001 Cannes Film Festival, although Luhrmann had originally intended to have it two year earlier, in order to mark the turn of the centuries. The long delay was due to complications with pre-production and casting, as well as the very expensive and demanding production. The long wait proved to be worth it, because Moulin Rouge! became one of the very few films that, at least initially, left audiences with their mouths open. Following the unconventional opening title, Luhrmann clearly lets viewers know that they are going to see something extraordinary – combination of rapid but effective MTV-style editing, elaborate sets, props, costumes that provide bright colours and sounds that are likely to impress even the most jaded segments of the audience. This can be seen especially in the musical numbers which are among the best directed in last few decades. Apart from providing visual spectacle, all those musical numbers have one interesting feature – they are covers of various hits of popular 20th Century music with diverse set of sources, ranging from 1950s ballads of Nat King Cole till 1990s songs of Nirvana. Those entertaining anachronisms create surreal atmosphere that would be maintained till the end of the film. Luhrmann also didn’t shy away from using the actual vocal talents of his cast, so Nicole Kidman, who was at the time enjoyed reputation as one of the most glamorous stars of world cinema, delivers opportunity for the fans to hear her sing.

The audience exposed to this, sometimes relentless, display of manipulative abilities of sight and sound, might easily forget that all of that is held in place by plot which is actually quite thin. The script consists of cliches used in myriad other works in literature, stage and screen – a talented but penniless artists, courtesan with a heart of gold etc. Luhrmann, on the other hand, doesn’t hide that he prefers form to content, but near the end the film becomes slightly overlong and its ending might not have cathartic effect Luhrmann has originally intended. Although far from the flawless masterpiece of film musical it was supposed to be, Moulin Rouge! nevertheless provides a plenty of delightful details for the fans of the genre, including Jim Broadbent providing one of the more original and memorable cover of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. Luhrmann’s film, which ultimately had great success at the box office, rave reviews and plenty of prestigious awards (including Oscar for Best Art Direction and Oscar for Costume Design) represents one of the more better works of Hollywood at the very start of 21st Century.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)