Moulin Rouge!

A musical fairy tale about paying homage to the film century. The experience is, of course, deeper if one consciously perceives all the sources of inspiration. Viewers who only suspect something will only grope on the surface. The film features everything from de Toulouse-Lautrec, Méliès, Violetta, Monroe, Madonna, and Queen. Thank you, absinthe fairy. (02/04/2009)

Tacky, overstylized, crazy and wild postmodern playfulness that you just can't resist. Moulin Rouge! won't let you catch your breath from the very beginning, you'll have to get used to the fast pace and you may find the humor insane at first, but if you stick with an open mind, there is a great chance that it will eventually completely absorb you, just like it did to me. The mix of humor, romance, and drama may come off as quite saccharine and fluctuating, but it worked for me. Moreover, what starts mainly as a comedy in the first half, turns into a truly powerful and intense drama in the second half, sealing the film's exceptionalism. The romantic story is not particularly original or revolutionary, but it is so perfectly executed that you simply forgive the various clichés and enjoy it, even if you've seen or read something similar before. I consider "Your Song" and "Elephant Love Medley" to be the musical highlights of the film. The chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor is excellent and feels completely natural. My only major criticism would probably be that the viewer knows the outcome of the film from the beginning, and even though the ending is strong, it might have had an even stronger impact if we didn't know. Otherwise, it's a magical film that I will watch many times over. (10/08/2017)

Baz Luhrmann has an amazing ability to turn Moulin Rouge into an unusually intense, emotional, "original", (non-)kitsch spectacle that is just very hard not to succumb to. And I loved the grace with which Moulin Rouge teeters on the edge between total kitsch and riveting emotional spectacle. The choreography, the sets, the costumes, the music, the boldness and inventiveness of the direction, the hauntingly beautiful Nicole Kidman... plainly and simply the prototype of a film that can provide an intense emotional experience from beginning to end. A year earlier, Lars von Trier also made a wannabe musical "his own way", which I coincidentally also gave full marks. The difference is that I was still quite nauseous for a few days after Dancer in the Dark and to this day I have no desire for a second viewing. With this film, I know I will want to watch it again very soon and I definitely won't be nauseous in the "Trier" sense :-) (08/08/2013)

You can expect many things from this film, but you’ll get something different. First of all, it’s worth mentioning the beautiful songs and the amazing performances; I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many likeable actors together. The opening part, playing on a very bold and fun note, blew me away, with its unique costumes, sets, choreographies, and then Nirvana's “Smeels Like Teen Spirit” kicks in – just a blast. The rest of the film is also conducted in the most original spirit and is a feast for the eyes and ears, but I didn't like the more romantic, sometimes a bit depressing part so much. It was still an enjoyable show, but the crazy beginning made a stronger impression. 80% (02/28/2012)

I've kept Moulin Rouge in my cupboard of unwatched films for a relatively long time and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see this musical classic on the big screen for the first time, where its qualities stood out all the more. From the very first minutes, we are thrown into a slightly maddening carousel of events interwoven with colourful costumes and sets, amazing singing and dancing sequences, and especially strong and convincing performances of a tragicomic nature. Of the ensemble cast, I was most impressed by Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman, who gave unforgettable and supremely plastic creations. I must also praise the plethora of interludes referring to various legendary songs, which surprisingly fit perfectly into the scenes, and the visuals and cinematography referring to different periods or genres of cinema. A film that is a feast for the senses and forms an unmissable gem within its genre. (11/13/2018)