Video Review |
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Video Review |
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Last Updated 02/18/02
Email: robitai@our-town.com
Moulin Rouge
If
you go to Paris today and make your way north of the city center to Montmartre,
you can visit the real Moulin Rouge. This
is a dazzling cabaret with a history. At
the turn of the century, Toulous-Lautrec was a regular, and the hippest of the
hip played out their artistic, bohemian energies. Dancing girls still prance
across the stage where the can-can was perfected and where pounding flesh drew
more attention than was generally thought appropriate for polite company.
"Moulin
Rouge" the movie pays tribute to those times past in a riot of dizzying
color and intensity. Acting is superb. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor have a
sizzling chemistry that's evidenced both musically and physically. This film has
cinematic spectacle packaged with a brand of campiness that's more refined than
"Rocky Horror Picture Show," but still reminiscent of a twice-removed
distant cousin to that classic.
Expect
the unexpected. The year is 1900. Christian (Ewan McGregor), a struggling
writer, has come to Paris to find himself. He's only just settled in when a
narcoleptic Argentinean falls through his ceiling.
Within moments he finds himself involved with the Argentinean's
associates, a troupe of bizarre artists, led by Toulous-Lautrec (played in his
actual dwarf-size stature by John Leguizamo).
They enlist Christian to write the "Spectacular Spectacular,"
which will play on the Moulin Rouge's stage and star the beautiful Satine
(Nicole Kidman). He qualifies for the job because he espouses their belief in
freedom, truth, beauty, and love.
Within
moments, characters break into song, but you're not whisked away on pre-World
War I melodies. Borrowings from Elton John, the Beatles, and even the
"Sound of Music" provide modern lyrics that enhance and elaborate the
action. Nicole belts out "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" at an
appropriate moment, and everything coalesces to create a surge of color, sound,
and dance.
The
plot ultimately defines itself as a tragic melodrama when life begins to imitate
art. The Moulin's owner enlists the rich Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburg) to
produce the show, but his money comes with a price. The Duke wants exclusive
rights to Satine's favors, a dismal request in light of her and Christian's
newfound love. In order to keep the Duke's patronage, their love must remain a
secret.
When
Christian finds himself in a compromising situation, he writes himself, Satine,
and the Duke into the plot of the "Spectacular Spectacular."
In a flurry of artistic vision, Christian's play allows them to live
happily ever after, but the Duke sees the ploy, and demands a rewrite.
Will
the Duke withdraw his patronage? Will he discover the lovers and kill Christian?
Will true love triumph? Or will another dastardly problem arise?
It's
campy, it's hot, and it's original, so see it if you dare. If nothing else take
Christian's advice for what it's worth: "The greatest thing you'll ever
learn is to love and to be loved in return."
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