Moulin Rouge!

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)

Sometimes I tell myself that it's hardly possible for there to exist such a precisely balanced border between deafening noise and indescribable beauty. A highly romantic affair, in which a tremendous amount of tension lies hidden, led by my favorite film scene of all time: The hiding of the main couple, ingeniously built up to the perfect Because she doesn't love you! moment. The pinnacle of cinematography and the most emotionally captivating affair. Thank you, Mr. Luhrmann, for the best film I have ever seen. (12/23/2004)

Although the makers if this tried to remain on the brink of bearable and laughably bombastic kitsch soft porn, all too often this slips into a stupid, noisy (I don’t think there is one second of silence here or no scenes where someone isn’t jumping around, screaming, whistling etc.) patchwork full of cuts, certainly worthy of an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. However, once in a while it calms down and looks good, and so for instance during the tango or the live scene with Satine and Krystian, all of these criticisms move aside, because at these times Moulin Rouge is simply flawless. A shame that there aren’t more similarly powerful moments in this movie, but on the other hand there aren’t that few of them really. (12/28/2006)

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)

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)