"Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Above All Things... Love" The Moulin Rouge Discussion Thread

Okay, considering the original Moulin Rouge thread was locked, I have the Mod's approval to start a new one. This is a place where you can discuss the movie, analyze it, and put in your opinions on certain parts of the movie.

To start the thread off, here's a question. What songs/scenes do you like most?

I myself enjoyed "Your Song" and "Come What May" for songs. So come on in and discuss this wonderful classic movie.

 

At first I was really skeptical about this movie. The first thirty or so minutes of the film were really odd. However, I gave it a chance. As it turns out I now own the movie on DVD. I wish Nicole had won last year for her performance in the film, but at least she won this year. I was also suprised by Kidman and McGregor's singing voices, they were a good duet.


And like that...he's gone.

 

I really don't get why everyone loves this movie,it bored the hell outta me,both times I watched it

 

Moulin Rouge quickly became one of my favorite movies.

I really appreciate the "play within a play" style that MR incorporates (ala Phantom of the Opera). It draws you in more and more as the film proceeds, and as you realize what is happening between the two lovers mirrors Spectacular Spectacular, it only serves to highten the anticipation. You know what will happen in the end; Christian tells you that in the opening lines of the movie. But I find after multiple viewings that I still want to see it played out.

I think the over-the-top style of costumes, music, and the intense opening 30 minutes really captured the "wild, thrusting, Bohemian spirit" in the words of Ziedler and brought the everyday moviegoer right into the mix. The intense, almost ecstasy-fueled style seems to be Baz's trademark: you can witness a smiliar frenzy on his remake of Romeo and Juliet.

The music, well, that's a discussion in itself. When I first heard all the covers (and mixing of songs all together), I was skeptical, and I thought it was fairly cheap to borrow from a lot of great songs all at once. But the more I watched the film, the more I appreciate that they were borrowed with great appreciation for the emotions they express, and were conveyed with a decent, if not proper amount of respect for their sentiments. Involving Fatboy Slim for the dance sequences was a master stroke on Baz's part, as well as staying true to a Broadway-style song structure when the picture called for it. But none of that would matter too much if Nicole and Ewan couldn't sing. Both turned in tremendous vocal performances, and it really carries their music montages.

Moulin Rouge may be over-the-top, glitzy filmmaking for some, but I consider it a real treat, a snapshot of a wonderful film that goes straight for the heart but doesn't forget it's there to entertain.

 

Thats kinda sad. The first Moulin Rouge thread was like one of the first in the Amphitheatere

Oh well, let me just say that this is honestly IMO one of the finest films ever made. Lurman just has such and eye and sense of style in all of his films and Moulin Rouge really exlemplified all of it and took it to the next level.

I hope that his Alexander the Great movie has a similar style.

 

Like an acid trip for any film-goer, but still holds a special place in my heart just because.

 

I agree with you guys. Moulin Rouge, IMO, is my favorite non-SW film. It is just amazing. Plus, you gotta love the Ewan McGregor. Who would have thought that Ewan and Nicole could actually sing? I loved the storyline, and the acting was the most amazing I have ever seen in a long time.
I really appreciate the "play within a play" style that MR incorporates (ala Phantom of the Opera). It draws you in more and more as the film proceeds, and as you realize what is happening between the two lovers mirrors Spectacular Spectacular, it only serves to highten the anticipation. You know what will happen in the end; Christian tells you that in the opening lines of the movie. But I find after multiple viewings that I still want to see it played out.
I agree completely with that up there. I just love this movie so much! And that's something to say, because I am not a big fan of romantic movies.

 

It was over-the-top melodrama. I narrowly avoided smashing my head through the television screen, but I persevered.


Who would have thought that Ewan and Nicole could actually sing?

I don't believe for a second that I actually heard their voices in a pure, unadulterated fashion.


I have the soundtrack, which is fairly good. El Tango de Roxanne is the best (although I think the original by the Police is better) but I also like the song by Beck.
I'm fast losing my patience with the CD, however, and now I usually just skip through to track 9.

 

Your Song was my favorite on the CD. But now it's tied with Roxanne.


The second CD is worth buying too.

 

I particularly like the entire opening of the film, which really takes about 40 minutes. It has great energy. Up through the end of the presentation to the Duke in the elephant, it's fantastic. After that, I think it starts to slow a bit.

IMO, Ewan deserved an Oscar nomination for the movie. He carries it. If it's believable at all, it's because of his earnestness and emotional honesty. You never doubt for one moment that he loves this woman enough to burst into spontaneous song about it.

 

See below: Double Post

 

I really appreciate the "play within a play" style that MR incorporates (ala Phantom of the Opera). It draws you in more and more as the film proceeds, and as you realize what is happening between the two lovers mirrors Spectacular Spectacular, it only serves to highten the anticipation.

This convention is timeless and always works. Shakespeare used it a few times (most notably Hamlet) and it brings an interesting angle to the characters and their motivation. In this case, they are doing the play, but have no idea that they are living the play Christian writes. But, one of the lessons is that theatre mirrors life.



You know what will happen in the end; Christian tells you that in the opening lines of the movie. But I find after multiple viewings that I still want to see it played out.

Again, Baz borrowed from a few other stories (most notibly Romeo and Juliet). A narrator or main character tells us the ending in advance. What keeps us watching is to see HOW and WHY the tragedy takes place. Although this one was going to end badly (with Satine's consumption slowly killing her), Romeo and Juliet's tragedy didn't need to happen.

I hope that his Alexander the Great movie has a similar style

It won't. Strictly Ballroom, Romeo and Juliet, and Moulin Rouge (All part of the Red Curtain Trilogy) told their stories a certain way and through a certain medium. Alexander the Great is a primarily hostorical film and Baz has said that this will have a different tone.

 

Moulin Rouge will always be one of my favorite movies...ever!

Baz is a genius and the way this movie plays out is pure bliss.

At it's heart it is a love story in it's truest form...one of beautiful sadness, and this is what amazes me. Even though the movie starts out with you knowing that Christian will lose his love, his sparkling diamond, I still found myself falling in love yet again. Like all great and epic movies, this one touches your soul even after you leave the theater.

.moulin rouge.
.the crow.
.titanic.
.braveheart.

beautiful sadness.

 

I love Moulin Rouge - went to see it about 7 times at the cinema (it's not quite the same on a TV screen...).

I think my favourite part was on top of the elephant when they start singing - nearly wet myself laughing the first time I saw it, esp when Christian goes "Don't... leave me this way..." Just the way they have a conversation using lines from famous songs totally cracked me up.

My boyfriend knows how much I love the film, so he took me away to Paris last weekend to have dinner and see a show at the Moulin Rouge as an early 21st birthday present! It was tres sweet, esp since he didn't like the film much (he loved the show though).

 

The first time I saw Moulin Rouge, I didn't really like it. It was just a little too...off to me. Awkward, if you will. But then I watched it again, and loved it. And I watched it again...and again...and again...

Best sequence, by far, is El Tango de Roxanne. It gives me chills every time. Especially Ewan's counterpoint vocals.

 

Well, I admit, I saw Moulin Rouge for free on tape on vacation for only one reason-- Ewan McGregor. I hate to pin myself as a giggling fangirl, but really, it was 12 at night, everyone else was asleep, and I wanted to watch a movie-- so Moulin Rouge it was, simply because of my moment of extreme shallowness.

After the first half hour, I was a little skeptical-- it was a little too wacky for me, and the music intertwined seemed awkward...so, again, I admit, I only kept watching for Ewan McGregor.

During the elephant scene, I was amused enough to continue watching, and by the Roxanne/Christian solo scenes.....Wow. A little trippy, a little sappy, and a little bit of art. Overall, some things were awkward, to say the least, but it really did have a beautiful message and a nice performance by Nicole and Ewan.

Also, this year I learned a bit about the real MR and T-Lautrec. It's really quite interesting how Baz Luhrman incorporated some real history, artistic interpretation, and such in the movie. And just like T-Lautrec's portrayals of the Moulin Rouge, Luhrman stays true to form with grandoise color and bold images. For that alone, it has my approval as an art film-- but it managed to be a little more than that, simply because of such a poignant story of love.

I normally hate sappy things, but, the heartfelt acting, especially from Ewan McGregor (and that is speaking as a critic, not a fangirl). A lovely performance from all, and despite it's over-the-top feel, it was a rather nice movie.

 

I thought MR was an excellent movie. When I first saw it, the beginning was a little awkward but I kept watching even though my friends left me alone and went shopping. I actually liked when it started to slow down and the "real" story came out.

My favorite songs are El Tango de Roxanne (also my favorite scene) and Come What May.

I also think that the second CD is worth buying, I love the film version of Come What May.

 

Well, I admit, I saw Moulin Rouge for free on tape on vacation for only one reason-- Ewan McGregor. I hate to pin myself as a giggling fangirl, but really, it was 12 at night, everyone else was asleep, and I wanted to watch a movie-- so Moulin Rouge it was, simply because of my moment of extreme shallowness.

I admit to this. Ewan McGregor is also the only reason I had wanted to see Moulin Rouge. I hadn't really heard too much about it before, just that Ewan was in it. But I'm glad I did see it!

I wasn't that impressed with Nicole either, Obi Anne, also because I heard that she did not actually sing one of the songs. But Ewan- the guy just blew me away!

I'm the same with Lady Marmalade. *shudders* The only music that I did not like about the movie. Although I guess it did serve its purpose. It gave the nightclub a more...er... promiscious feel (couldn't find right word- sorry). And I have some problems with the song, but when I saw the music video for that come out... I couldn't be in the same room while the MV was playing.

I also think that Ewan was the best actor in the entire movie. Not just because I am an Ewan fangirl, but because he truly was amazing. He pulled you into the story, and I believed every word he said. Especially when Satine told him that she had to sleep with the Duke and they were in the theatre, you could just see the sadness in Christian's eyes. A true mark of an actor is when you can tell their emotion just by their eyes. And he looked like such a little kid too!

 

I'll admit that I didn't see this in the theaters. I waited patiently for the DVD to be released. I got it for Christmas that year. I immediatly put it in the DVD player and watched it. I loved everything about the movie. The singing, the dancing. It was all good. It was a plus just to see Ewan McGregor in the movie. I love his character in Moulin Rouge. He reminds me of me sometimes. Which is odd to say since I am girl. Now I don't think that I'm making any sense. I guess, in general its a great movie. It's one of my faves.

 

Lucky, I hadn't even heard about it until this year, when one of my fellow Ewan fanatics in the Ewan McGregor Fan Club told me he was in it, and that it was PG 13!!

I also loved his character. And he reminds me of myself also. So you're not the only wierd one, because I am a female also. There was so much in him that I could relate to.