Moulin Rouge

Heart-broken Bohemian bard Christian (Ewan McGregor) tells the tale of his first love, Satine (Nicole Kidman) a Courtesan at The Moulin Rouge, an exotic dancing paradise in the center of the slums of Paris. Passing himself off as a successful playwright, he is commissioned to write a play for the Moulin Rouge's investor, The Duke (Richard Roxburgh) who also falls for Satine and won't share her with anyone. As they fall for each other, tragic secrets are kept, betrayals rage and someone will never leave The Moulin Rouge alive.

Boldness readily describes this rock opera. The colors are rich and deeply emotional, reflecting the passion that drives the plot and the tragedy playing within. The musical arrangements, both borrowed and new, swell and drive breaking through the resistance of knowing the fact of fiction, seducing us to fall in love and breaking the dam built in the corner of the eyes, gutting us, leaving us heartbroken and destroyed. This film, every time it passes through a screen, renders me helpless as the story buries itself inside my heart. It's comprehensive in brilliance, reflecting a perfectly executed plot.

And it's not all tragic. There are brilliantly funny parts as well. Zidler and the Duke's rendition of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" is absolutely rib-splitting, as well as horrific in the right way. As is Christian's insinuation with the Bohemians, in rehearsal of a scene reminiscent of The Sound of Music's "The Sound of Music."

I remember my first time seeing this, a movie night with my college roommates. It was their choice, and I, the "chick-flick hater" was not willing to sit through another mushy romance film. And I was wrong, so wrong. I fell for Moulin Rouge, heart and soul. Ewan McGregor's Christian's "Your Song" showed up the original, raising goosebumps and this film became part of the shortlist that are my favorites. And this time through serves as a reminder of why it belongs there.

I adore the cast, particularly Ewan McGregor and suprisingly, Nicole Kidman. Their love story is brilliantly portrayed, she's perfectly smoking and tragic and he's so beautifully hopeful, faithful and love-able allowing for the perfect fall when she betrays him. Jim Broadbent's a virtuoso, perfectly duplicitous, comical and paternal, as Zidler truly loves Satine as a teacher and father figure. And Richard Roxburgh's Duke is wonderfully slimy.

The musical is a fickle genre, either it works well or doesn't at all. And this one, with its many song references, both in dialogue and within the musical numbers is stunning. Most memorable is a tango version of Sting's "Roxanne" with the only sound effect being the steps of the dance. It brilliantly montages with the Duke's seduction as Satine attempts to save everyone from destruction by going to him. Also notable is the "love medly" atop the elephant. I am nearly always touched by the tragic ending, moved to tears (something that is not easy to do) and leave with a profound sadness that causes me to sigh, expelling the deep emotion within that has surfaced as a result of this film's having its way with me.

Like I said, boldness; brazen boldness, pulling no punches, consuming all with love, tragedy and music. And, despite my proclivities, I always fall in love with this film; it will remain one of my favorites for life.

****

In: Jim Broadbent

Out: Ewan McGregor

Coming Soon: The Serpent's Kiss