In the windmills of my mind (Moulin Rouge! (DVD))

Member Name: gothiron

Product:	Moulin Rouge! (DVD)
Date:	24/09/01 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Jim Broadbent, Brill soundtrack, great acting

Disadvantages: A bit weird at first, Suffers from overhype in places

Great or bewildering? Masterpiece or waste of space?

This film isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea and it isn't the type of film you go along to watch just to kill a couple of hours; it's one of those love it or hate it - there's not much room for middle ground.

For those expecting the traditional easy to listen to and requiring little thought type of musical you will be disappointed, as you will be if you are expecting a classical portrayal of the Moulin Rouge tale. This Moulin Rouge is more "Strictly Ballroom" meets Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". It's flash, brash and loud.

The costumes are lavish, the singing spectacular spectacular, the sets stunning and the acting surprisingly good. For those of expecting Nicole Kidman to fall flat on her face, the opposite is true (in more ways than one - as any well-heeled courtesan would know). She has a demanding role to play as Satine, requiring a strong portrayal to avoid the whole thing coming across as total farce and equips herself well, as does the excellent Ewan Mcgreggor and the exceptional Jim Broadbent.

One thing that may jar a lot of people is the use of modern classics within a period setting. Personally, this was one of the high points of the film for me and it was refreshing to have a sound track that truly will be worth buying as well as the dvd. The singing was totally in context and helped effectively portray some of the more complex ideas of the film as well as serving as a good way of entwining the parallel storylines. The score features songs by Queen, The Police and Madonna to name a few; these being the ones that I felt added the most to the film as well as being performed brilliantly. Jim Broadbent's "Like A Virgin" is worth the entrance fee alone, the tangoesque rendition of Roxanne was stunning and provided both tension and humour to the film, Material Girl was an obvious synonym for Diamonds
are a Girls best friend but the highlight was Queen's "The Show Must Go On" - it might as well have been commissioned for the film, providing a stunning audio companion to the visual storyline. Pure theatrical genus.

The whole feel of the film was much more Broadway than Hollywood but not to the overblown extent of Evita and if you are prepared to go in to it with an open mind then it will be enjoyable. Some of the garishness works, some doesn't but the film can carry off a few flat moments by the sheer dynamism of the actors as well the speed of the plot, there are few strung out scenes, most of the action is snappy and quick and certainly not ponderous at all.

I reckon it will end up as a massive hit with cult status following, not everyone will like it, a lot of people won't "get it" but if it's your cup of poison, you'll not find an antidote easily!

Summary: