Writer/Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and John Leguizamo
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Nicole Kidman. Since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Kidman has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s jazz club singers, concerned mothers or depressed writers, the actress has played several strong characters. Arguably, Kidman’s strength as an actress is her powerful commitment. She is one of those actresses that has often poured her heart and soul into every role. Kidman has offered strong characters in movies through her dedication. She’s one of those rare actresses which isn’t afraid of taking risks in her career by playing characters which are unlikeable. Through her abilities to craft larger than life characters that are compelling, Kidman has created a legacy that’s lasting. A feminist icon in entertainment, Kidman has played every role with a powerful commitment. Throughout her enduring career, Kidman has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth watching without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Kidman and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Moulin Rouge” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2001, Baz Luhrmann’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best musicals ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Nicole Kidman, who portrays a romantic courtesan falling in love in doomed romance. Ultimately, what makes “Moulin Rouge” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the musical genre, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing musical masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Moulin Rouge” is a movie which is worth watching.
Set during the 20th Century, “Moulin Rouge” tells a story of a young poet that falls in love. Ewan McGregor portrays Christian, a lonely poet that is searching for romance in his life. Christian’s big dreams come true when he is given the chances to perform at the Moulin Rouge nightclub. However, Christian’s hopes are destroyed when he falls in love in a love affair facing disaster. Christian falls in love with Satine (Nicole Kidman), a courtesan at the nightclub. Satine is an ambitious woman with dreams of achieving success of her own. As the pair quickly fall in love with each other, they seek to spend the rest of their lives with each other. As Christian’s career clashes with his romance, he begins to wonder whether it’s possible to achieve his dreams. Faced with a dilemma, Christian begins to question whether it’s possible to accomplish his dreams of being a writer.
Baz Luhrmann is fascinated with the musical genre. Before he directed “Moulin Rouge”, the director was well-known for making movies in the musical genre. His iconic film “Romeo and Juliet” offered a strong adaptation of William Shakespeare’s celebrated play. With “Moulin Rouge”, however, he created his first musical about Paris. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture barriers faced by nightclub singers in Paris but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Luhrmann captures a poet’s journey to discover his identity in an ancient nightclub in Paris. Luhrmann expertly uses montages to capture the life of a poet falling in love in the 20th Century. For instance, montages enhance the moulin rouge scene. During this memorable scene, Christian is in awe as he enters the moulin rouge club for the first time. One admires montages capturing a poet that falls in love in a nightclub. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” claimed, montages elevate old-fashioned musicals set in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, it works very well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Luhrmann captures a poet embarking upon a journey in Paris.
Another phenomenal aspect of “Moulin Rouge” that’s worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Luhrmann expertly uses magical realism to stage musical numbers capturing a poet in the 20th Century. For instance, magical realism elevates the Your Song scene. During this unforgettable scene, Christian expresses his love for Satine through singing a beloved Elton John song. One acknowledges magical realism capturing a romance between a poet and courtesan. Magical realism isn’t an easy technique to use in musicals. As Robert Wise’s “Sound of Music” suggested, magical realism elevates celebrated musicals. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Moreover, the music score is dazzling. Craig Armstrong’s music gives the movie a joyous atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers bear. Through extraordinary production-design, Luhrmann creates a larger-than-life romance among commemorated lovers in Paris which never loses its abilities to shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Moulin Rouge” is a musical which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture hardships a poet in France is facing. Luhrmann’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing hardships faced by poets in a doomed romance through non-linear storytelling. The film deftly switches back and forth between two distinct timelines: Christian’s present-day state as an alcoholic writer and past romance with Satine. Through this ingenious non-linear structure, Luhrmann creates a pair of lovers which audiences can easily relate towards. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Stephen Daldry’s “The Hours” proved clearly, non-linear storytelling elevates literary adaptations about women. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” claimed non-linear storytelling elevates biopics about bomb inventors. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Luhrmann captures lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Nicole Kidman delivers one of her finest career performances as Satine. Kidman first accomplished appreciation for playing mentally disturbed women in serious dramas. With “Moulin Rouge”, however, she took on her most complicated role. It isn’t easy to portray a courtesan falling in love in a destructive romance, but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in her most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures angst, desperation and trauma of a courtesan that falls in love in a doomed romance in Paris. It’s a role that gave the actress the opportunities to showcase her never before seen talent for singing melodies. Kidman has often had an aptitude for playing feminist characters, and “Moulin Rouge” was a showcase for her talents. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working today.
Ewan McGregor is extraordinary as a poet that falls in love with a courtesan in a doomed love affair. Although Kidman gets the showier role, McGregor is also amazing as a poet that falls in love in a doomed romance. As Christian, he showcased his strengths for performing music in one of his finest roles. McGregor is known for playing serious characters in dramas. With “Moulin Rouge”, however, he took on his first musical role. Whether he’s falling in love with Satine at a first sight or gaping with awe at the sight of a glamorous nightclub, he captures personality of a lovesick poet facing a price to pay. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s currently working in the film industry today.
Finally, “Moulin Rouge” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing hardship lovers in a club are facing. Unlike most musicals, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes including alcoholism, jealousy and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to have an interest in history of France to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message about danger of extramarital affairs which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Moulin Rouge” is one of those rare commemorated musicals ebeyrone would adore.
Fans of Nicole Kidman will definitely recognize “Moulin Rouge” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating musical classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking musical about poets seeking love falling into doomed romantic affairs with consequences that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 