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The Movie:  Director Baz Luhrmann occasionally used rapid-fire imagery to liven up his energetic and mostly successful 1996 remake of "Romeo and Juliet". As speedy and visual as that film sometimes was, Luhrmann's new film "Moulin Rouge" is in a different catagory altogether, with a first 30 minutes that charges at you with such force you think the film's going to have a heart attack. The film opens introducing us to Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young writer who has just struck out on his own in Paris, but isn't having a great deal of success. In (literally) drops Toulouse-Lautrec(John Leguizamo) and crew, who are preparing their new musical "Spectacular Spectacular" for the Moulin Rouge nightclub. They're having some trouble and adopt the young writer, who seems to have some good ideas up his sleeve. And then, we're introduced to the nightclub in a dizzying sequence that spins insanely around the room (the visual equivalent of placing a camera on a merry-go-round and giving it a powerful spin). I'm as much a fan of striking visuals as anyone (and I quite like the work of cinematographer Donald McAlpine, who also did Luhrmann's "Romeo" remake), but these opening moments push the limits. Finally, in drops (literally) Satine (Nicole Kidman) one of the most famous entertainers and courtesans of the nightclub, who sings "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". Kidman looks stunning, sings beautifully and in early scenes like this, provides an amazingly engaging performance. Although I was never a real big fan of her work, in both "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Moulin Rouge" she has really advanced her talents, offering warmer, richer and more open performances. After a bit of a mix-up meeting, Christian finds himself falling in love with Satine, but he's got some competition (there wouldn't be much of a movie if he didn't) in the Duke (Richard Roxburgh, playing a stereotypically old-school villian), who is the one providing the backing for the club. When it becomes apparent that the two have fallen in love with one another, not only is the Duke furious, but Zidler(Jim Broadbent), who owns the club, voices his dissaproval, as well. While all of this is going on, Satine is sick and getting more ill as the days pass. Yes, there's not a great deal of story or is the plot terribly original, but I felt that the love story was genuine emotionally and since it's a musical, songs often take up the time. The film does use 20th century songs throughout and although a choice that doesn't quite always work in the case of a few of the songs, I enjoyed it more often than not. And yet, not all is exactly right in "Moulin Rouge". Again, the heavy, fast editing and rapid camera movement in some sequences (especially the begining) actually worked against the movie, in my opinion. The film worked best when it actually calmed down for a moment between the two leads, who have very good chemistry together. When the camera wasn't moving busily, I also had time to admire the downright incredible production design by Catherine Martin, who also happens to be director Luhrmann's wife. Also, set decoration by Brigitte Broch, who also worked on "Romeo and Juliet" is impressive. Exceptional as well is costume design, again by Martin as well as Angus Strathie. These three departments deserve recognition come awards time. As good as McGregor's performance sometimes is during the course of the film, I found myself more impressed with Kidman's soulful performance as Satine. I just wished at times that the movie would calm down a bit and let the two actually do more rather than being as exhausting and excessive as it occasionally becomes. On the other hand, a movie like this in the hands of a different director could have simply been horrendous. Luhrmann's movie didn't always hold me under its spell, but when it's at its best it certainly is magical. |