If you can can can (Moulin Rouge! (DVD))

Member Name: wendz86

Product:	Moulin Rouge! (DVD)
Date:	29/10/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great acting, story, music and dancing

Disadvantages: None

I watched this film for the first time in ages the other day and had forgot how much I loved it. Moulin Rouge was originally released in 2001 so has been around quite a while now. It is directed and written by Baz Luhrmann , who has also directed films including Romeo and Juliet and Australia.

The story of Moulin Rouge is based in Paris where a young man Christian (Ewen Mcgregor) has just moved to start a career as a writer. It is 1899 and he is living in the bohemian revolution. Christian soon finds himself accidently involved in a play that is being created called Spectacular Spectacular. He goes over to the Moulin Rouge to try and impress Satine (Nicole Kidman), who is the star and also a courtesan, so that the Mouline Rouge will hold the show. There is a bit of a mix up though as Satine is meant to be meeting a Duke to try and seduce him in order to get him to donate to the Moulin Rouge and keep it running. Satine gets the two men mixed up and ends up trying to seduce Christian until she realised the big mistake. The Duke (Richard Roxburgh) eventually gets to meet Satine and she realises what the mix up is and they all have to try and persuade the Duke that he should finance Spectacular Spectacular. Satine though has fell for Christian while she was talking to him and now doesn't know what to do!

The Moulin Rouge is an all singing , all dancing production. The storyline is very dramatic and there are some quite serious undertones throughout despite the exciting and fun dance and singing scenes. The story is a really good one that keeps you on tenderhooks throughout wondering what will happen. I like the era it is set in and the location as well as it is all very dramatic.

The romance throughout the story is one of my favourite within various chick flicks that I love. I think that you actually feel like it is quite real and you get involved with it. I feel this is helped by the singing as the songs they use really add to the atmosphere. Ewan Mcgregor and Nicole Kidman sing and act with a lot of conviction as well which makes it even more believable.

There are also some comedy scenes which are quite funny. These often include the other bohemians including Toulouse (John Leguizamo) and also Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent) who is the owner of the Moulin Rouge. Harold has a particularly funny scene performed to 'Like a Virgin', which was one of my favourites.

The whole style of the film is very Baz Luhrmann and if you have watched some of his other films you will pick up on this immediately. This style is quite strange and uses lots of different angles, shots and effects etc to make the film more dramatic. I think this does work and I love this style of film although some people may find it a bit odd.

The acting in Moulin Rouge is brilliant. I think Ewan Mcgregor and Nicole Kidman play their roles very well. As I said earlier their romance story is very convincing and you feel for them both throughout the show. They both add a lot to the film and I am not sure it would have worked so well with another pair of actors. The other actors are also very good and it is all very believable.

The music is a big part of this film. What I really like about the songs used is that a lot of the songs are actually famous songs that have been adapted in some way. These include songs like Roxanne, Like A Virgin and also the elephant love medley which is made up of a number of love songs. There are also some songs that have been made specifically for the film but are also very good. When I watch this film I often find myself singing along which makes it more than just a film and more of an experience. There is a good mix of fast and upbeat songs and slow songs, which are all used within the right scenes to add to the film.

The dancing again is a big part of the film especially as it is based around a club of can can dancers. The dancing is all very dramatic and exciting, made even better by Baz Luhrmann's direction.

The whole set and costumes for the film are amazing. They have obviously taken a lot of time to create these as every detail has been taken into account and it all looks fantastic together. Parts of the set like the elephant make it seem like the place they are in is enormous.

Overall this is a brilliant film that keeps you entertained throughout. It has great acting and music and is one of my favourites.

Moulin Rouge is rated a 12 so it is suitable for older children and adults. There are some scenes of violence and of a sexual nature.

It can be purchased for around £4 now so is definitely a bargain.

Summary: An all dancing all singing production that i thoroughly enjoyed