Moulin Rouge (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

Dazzling musical romance for teens.


parents & educators say
  • 78% say sexual content is an issue
  • 56% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, though the film, on paper, sounds a bit too mature for even teens (seduction and obfuscation are employed to raise money for a club), it's really quite a tender love story that features little to no nudity, fairly clean language (though there is plenty of sexual innuendo), and a sweet message about the power of love.

Positive messages: A courtesan seduces a man whom she thinks has plenty of money to invest in her show. In turn, that man treats her like property. A club owner sees nothing wrong in pimping out his star to get an investor for his shows. Characters drink absinthe and other alcoholic beverages, lie (for a good cause, mind you), fight, but, in the end the movie's soft and gooey center is revealed through incessant discussions about the power of love.
Violence: Zidler flashes a gun. A few fistfights.
Sex: Satine, who prances around in lingerie, fakes an orgasm while Christian recites poetry. She also kneels in front of a man she's trying to seduce, as if mimicking a sexual position. Some kissing and straddling between couples. Lots of innuendoes and repartee; for example: Christian: "I'm just a little nervous....It's just that sometimes it takes awhile ugh..." Satine: "Ohhhh..." Christian: "For, you know, inspiration to come." Satine: "Oh yes, yes, yes...Let mommy help, hmm? Does that inspire you? Let's make love!"
Language: Fairly innocuous. "Pish" is about as colorful as it gets, though there are tons of sexual innuendoes.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Bacchanalia at various parties include smoking and drinking. Christian and his bohemian friends drink absinthe and subsequently have hallucinations.

More on Moulin Rouge

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Satine enjoys her job as a courtesan (or if she actually does). Can anyone really be happy pursuing fame using one's physical charms? What attracts her to Christian, and vice-versa? Why is Hollywood enamored of opposites-attract themes? Are Satine and Christian truly destined for each other?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Cast: Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Nicole Kidman
Genre: Musical
Run time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release: May 16, 2001
DVD release: January 14, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: for sexual content.

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 9 parent & educator reviews:
  • 78% say sexual content is an issue
  • 56% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

muzikfreak147
teen, 18 years old
 
One of the best movies of all time!
This is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. I do have to say that there are plenty of sexual innuendoes, and I wouldn't recommend watching it with your child, just because it could be somewhat awkward. But if you think that would be fine with the relationship you have with them, then go for it! There are lots of references to sex (it does take place in a brothel) but there is no nudity, and it has one of the best messages I have ever seen in a movie. I would recommend it to anybody.

 
Amazing.
I loved this film,it was amazing, however some of the sexualness is a bit awkward. But the messages are about the power of true love, which is a great message :)

HenryRedJeanz
teen, 14 years old
 
Fabulous offbeat musical masterpiece
I loved this movie since I first saw it, its a beautiful, fun, offbeat and weird extravaganza that you wont be able to resist, there is a clothed sex scene played for laughs (not graphic) references to sex, and seeing its set in a nightclub there are some prostitutes and sensual dancers, there is no nudity except for one scene where Satine changes clothes, nothing shown, a man uses jelly as breasts and a character coughs up blood and another character dies, a man sings a song about prostitution, all in all its a great love story, with some comedy, some drama, a lot of music and a hint of quirky Baz Luhrmann humour stirred in for flavour. I love it! See it!

amanda16
teen, 18 years old
 
just a good movie
great movie. a little weird but lots of fun

who3697cares
teen, 18 years old
 
What an awful movie.

Sunshine4us
parent of 13 year old
 
Did not like this movie at all! Saw it in the movie theater and thought it was a waste of money!

 
Good for older teens, not for kids.
Entertaining for adults, but too sexual for kids. I watched it with an 11 year old in the room at a friend's house and had to move rooms. While artistically genius, which is why the 11yo I was watching it with enjoyed it, there was way too much immoral behavior/innuendos that tweens may start to ask.

♥UndeadRainbows♥™
kid, 13 years old
 
Great movie!
I loved this movie! The first time I saw it was when I was 7, but now I'm OK. This is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. I do have to say that there are plenty of sexual innuendoes, and I wouldn't recommend watching it with your child, just because it could be somewhat awkward. But if you think that would be fine with the relationship you have with them, then go for it! There are lots of references to sex (it does take place in a brothel) but there is no nudity, and it has one of the best messages I have ever seen in a movie. I would recommend it to anybody.

rose56967
kid, 12 years old
 
Good
I loved this movie, it's just like Chicago. I thought it was a cute love story, but I didn't like the ending. Otherwise, it was a really good movie.

 
Great movie about love and passion that should ONLY be showed to teenagers
Moulin Rouge is a compelling tale of love and loss that rivals the best of movie musicals. The cinematography is stunning and the acting is top rate. Nicole Kidman and Ewan Mecgregor are at the top of their game and that's probably why the movie works so well. The director, Baz Luhrman, clearly is brilliant and understands when to let a scene scream and when to be subtle. Moulin Rouge is a fantastic movie for all teenagers and parents alike.

Kats77
teen, 16 years old
 
Great for teenagers. Questionable for young children.
This is by far the best movie I have ever seen. The sexual content is nowhere near as bad most movies. Moulin Rouge sends a positive message to teens and adults everywhere. Beautiful story of love. Great actors.

ijustlovemovies
kid, 13 years old
 
my favorite musical next to cabaret
this is a beutiful movie that i really adore the main character satine is a prostitute though there is no sex shown you still see them afterwards this a great but dark and sad movie plus the music in this movie is great

newyorkprincess
teen, 15 years old
 
The Movie of the Century
this is deffintily one of my all time favorite movies. the acting, (esceapcially ewan mcgregor) is to die for! although the movie is about a prostittue earning it a pg13 rating, it actually cleaner then most pg movies ive seen. the language is extremely clean; whore is about as bad it gets. the ony thing concerning me is the like a virgin song - really cachy but ou proably dont want your kids going around seeing it. and the other thing is the use of abstinine, a drug resembling alcoholthat induces hilutuinations.

ScienceNerd03
kid, 13 years old
 
Spectacular, Spectacular!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! Though some sex and drinking might offend some, this move has a great message, and encourages standing out, truth, and love. It's flashy scenes and emotional songs make it unforgettable.

Smileyfacegirl123
kid, 12 years old
 
Gorgeous film
Beautiful acting. Great plot. Sad ending( keep a tissue with you). However it has a sexual theme throughout as the main character was a prostitute. Great film though

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Brilliant! (or so some think)...
Never has a movie I've seen been more of an acquired taste than MOULIN ROUGE. You either love it, or you hate it. You may love musicals and romances, and still hate this movie. Or, you may usually abhor those genres and love it. Some people think this movie is obnoxious and unnecessary. Others, myself included, find it moving and brilliant. Whatever the case, everyone should agree that MOULIN ROUGE is certainly a grand hymn to love and creativity. Considering the film's main character is a prostitute and the movie takes place in an upper-class brothel, it is actually much tamer than it could have been. Still, however, it earns its PG-13 for some sexual material. The script takes no opportunity to hide the fact that Satine, the main character, sells herself for money. Her profession is constantly mentioned in frank, yet non-explicit, terms. In one crass scene, played for comedy, she mistakes the hero for one of her clients. She attempts to seduce him, when all he wants to do is read poetry to her. Thus, all of his lines take on an added meaning, and lines like "it's [the poem] quite long" and "I want you to be comfortable, but I prefer to stand" become innuendos. Once he begins to read his poetry, she tries to arouse him by moaning and making sexual noises. However, since he is still innocent to her intentions, he continues singing until she stops. One song deals entirely with how lust ruins trust, and characters also sing Madonna's "Like a Virgin." However, there is no nudity or actual sex in the movie. I didn't count a single profanity, and there's no violence.

mylibrarycardw ...
teen, 15 years old
 
Great Music - Hated the Cutting!
This was an OK movie. I liked the music the best. The acting was very good but it was a sharp movie. There was a lot of cutting of scenes from one thing to the other. Also there was sexuality in it. It was kind of inappropriate in some places but it was good. I would say 15 and up would be good.

Me.
adult
 
Perfect for kids over 10.
Love this movie!!! Best musical I´ve ever seen. Funny, romantic, excellent actors (Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor) and more. Couldn´t stop laughing at "So Exciting" part.

iluvewanmcgregor
kid, 12 years old
 
Best Movie Ever
This is the BEST movie ever. Leading actors Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman star in this. The music, the actors, the format.. Everything is spectacular. Some things your kid may need to know is the achohol usage. Its not a main issue, just make sure your kids know that underage drinking is bad. Another concern is sexual content, and again make sure your kids are mature enough to handle it.

 
Gorgeous.
Love it. The singing, costuming and set are phenomenal. If the kids are young enough, they probably won't understand most of the inuendos, except for one scene that might lead to awkward discussion, haha. But really, it's a beautiful movie.

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