Moulin Rouge (2001, DVD)

Who knew Ewan Mcgregor had a phenomenal voice until this movie or that Nicole Kidman could command the screen with something other than her beautiful eyes and long legs. This movie had great music, a phenomenal plot with many twists and turns, and a soundtrack that combined elements and songs in such a way that was entertaining and humorous. The costumes and cinematography will keep your mind going well past the drop of the curtain and the last time the words are uttered--the only thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return

I never thought that I would want to see this movie but now that I have I can't seem to stop wanting to see it over and over again. My Daughter told me that it was great and I now agree with her 100%, this is as good as the old Gene Kelly musicals and as you know Gene was the best. Ewan McGregor has a wonderful voice too and he looks so beautiful, the songs are great, not long and boreing just beautiful. I even bought the movie soundtrack to listen to because the songs just seem to stay with you long after the movie is over.

The energy, the dancing, the singing, the decadence of Paris at the start of the century will catch you up. If you think too much about the sad reality of that life, you could get depressed, but watching John Leguizamo as Toulouse-Lautrec was grand. Since you knew the real person was only about 5 feet tall and John Leguizamo is 5' 8", you know he had to play this part on his knees! Ewan and Nichole singing together was great! This is the sad story of a beautiful girl who had to sell herself to live. Then she found someone who valued her and loved her as a human being, only to have cruel life bring her down at the end. The passion of that redeeming love is a memory to keep.

Moulin Rouge is a complex musical that by it's very nature is just not going to appeal to everyone. It is set in the early 1900's and pairs concepts from several previously done movies and plays (including one from Shakespeare) with music from the 1980's. The costumes, scenery and choreography are fabulous. The first 20 minutes or so of the storyline, however, is a mess- it moves VERY quickly and is VERY difficult to follow (it wasn't until I watched the movie a 2nd time that I even had a clue). BUT, if you can get past the intro what unfolds is a very romantic (and tragic) love story, set to fun music, that is absolutely HILARIOUS in parts (i.e. a comical dance set to Madonna's Like a Virgin). I'm not ashamed to say I even cried a bit at the end. My advice is give it a try- you'll either love it or hate it, but either way you'll have watched a very unique movie for today's standards.