Moulin Rouge

Baz Luhrman's latest is easily one of the most daring and provocative films of the year. It's clear that he's trying to reinvent the musical with this epic song-and-dance display of directorial prowess. While he may not have changed the entire direction for future musicals, Luhrman has come staggeringly close, delivering a film that is at once emotionally gripping, exciting, charming, and most of all, exhilirating.

Starting with a frenetic introduction to our characters and the famous song and dance hall, Luhrman sets a quick pace. The camera is flung throughout the city, through doors and windows, encountering each chacter and setting the stage for an intricate story about love. It's a stunning opening, certain to turn off more than a few viewers. For me, however, it was the best possible way to get things going, setting the stage for the coming visuals and showing that Luhrman is in utter control of the material.

To aid in his quest to redefine the Hollywood musical, Luhrman employed the acting and vocal talents of Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Kidman plays the luscious Satine, the main attraction at the Moulin Rouge, a girl that every man lusts for but no one can have. McGregor plays a simple poet named Christian who yearns for a feeling he has yet to experience: love. Both actors deliver what is perhaps the best work of their respective careers and their performances are, without a doubt, aided by their extraordinary vocal talents. Both of them if they ever decide to leave the movie business would have musical careers waiting for them around the corner.

The story follows Christian attempting to get a musical idea of his performed. First, however, he must write it after finding inspiration, find funding, find a location to perform it in, and then find the actors and actresses required by such a production. Of course, those working at the Moulin Rouge eventually are practicing Christian's ambitious and somewhat controversial piece, but not until after a complicated development of love between him and Satine. Satine has less power than she would like, and she even lacks the power to fall in love. However, Christian can sense that true love is afoot and will stop at nothing to explore it.

The cinematography is excellent, the lighting is splendidly colorful, the dance numbers and impeccable, and the production and costume design might be the best of the year. The songs, which are modern classics reperformed and remixed are wonderful as well. The editing is lightning quick but rarely becomes a hindrance, rather it sets the frenetic pace of the film. The production of Moulin Rouge is nothing short of fantastic.

Moulin Rouge proves that Bas Luhrman is a visionary force to be respected and admired. Films this courageous and with such sky-high aspirations don't come along often. Proving that his charming Strictly Ballroom was just an excercise before the real deal, Luhrman has created a modern musical to remember. Films that take you on a mesmerizing ride such as this are rare, you should hop on quick before the camera zips away.

On a scale of 1 to 10 Spectacular Spectaculars : 9