Moulin Rouge

What’s the Story?

Set in late-1800s Paris, MOULIN ROUGE begins in a garret, where a visibly heartbroken poet, Christian (Ewan McGregor), sits at his typewriter, pecking out what is essentially the film's premise: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Rewind to the past, when Christian believed in love but had never been in love. Wide-eyed and full of hope, he's recruited by a group of bohemians led by the artist Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo) to write a spectacular show for the Moulin Rouge. But first he must persuade Satine (Nicole Kidman), the Moulin Rouge's hot-blooded, cool-eyed courtesan, to agree. Eventually, they fall in love. But Satine's mission is to seduce a rich Duke (Richard Roxburgh), so he can finance the Moulin Rouge. If he finds out she loves another, their entire enterprise is doomed. Worse, Satine is suffering from mysterious blackouts.

Is It Any Good?

MOULIN ROUGE is that kind of movie that divides viewers into two distinct camps: Those who love it and those who don't. It almost doesn't matter, however. Because no matter how moving or maddening it may be, depending on which side of the argument you're on, this refreshingly modern musical is memorable and fascinating.

In the hands of another director, the story would have probably marched on in a fairly typical fashion. But this is Baz Luhrmann territory, which means kinetic camerawork, quick cuts, color-saturated tableaus, and lots and lots of music. In places, it overwhelms the senses and seems overdone. But the chemistry between MacGregor and Kidman is unmistakable, and their voices not half-bad. In the end, all this pageantry and ballad-belting enthusiasm pays off. Though it may not be everyone's cup of tea, Moulin Rouge is creative, daring, and original.