Description
Cross LA BOHEME with CABARET, throw in a little bit of RENT, and you might almost begin to describe Baz Luhrmann's visually opulent, fast-paced, funny, heartrending MOULIN ROUGE. The film, which premiered as the opener to the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, is a musical set in 1899 Paris at the notorious Montmartre cabaret club, the Moulin Rouge. Directed by Baz Luhrmann (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET, STRICTLY BALLROOM), the movie stars Nicole Kidman as the high-kicking courtesan, Satine; Ewan McGregor as the sensitive poet, Christian; and John Leguizamo as the flamboyant artist and matchmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec. Luhrmann's use of eclectic lighting and saturated color, the fast zooms and quick cuts of his camera, and his magnificent costumes and sets perfectly capture the excess and freneticism for which the Moulin Rouge was famous. Beautifully led by McGregor and Kidman, the flawless supporting cast brings to life the culture of belle epoque Paris with magical realism. Above all, the anachronistic, energetic contemporary soundtrack is what drives MOULIN ROUGE, with popular songs by L'il Kim, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, and Beck--as well as Kidman and McGregor adding their own superb vocals.
| Credits | | Producer: | Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Knapman, Fred Baron, Martin Brown | | Score Composer: | Craig Armstrong |
Editorial Reviews
"...Luhrmann's technique is flamboyantly operatic...[He] creates visual miracles..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (06/07/2001)
"...There are more volatile or seductive shades of red than even Toulouse-Lautrec might have dreamed of....Mr. Luhrmann has the eye of an artist..."
New York Times - Elvis Mitchell (05/18/2001)
"...Baz Luhrmann displays often amazing resourcefulness as he mixes a multitude of film and song styles to relate his quintessential tale of la vie boheme..."
Variety - Tarek McCarthy (05/14/2001)
"...Astonishing....The sweet-voiced Kidman has never been sexier....Daring..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
Premiere - Glenn Kenny (07/01/2001)
"...Stunning cinematic artistry....Dazzling....It is a powerful impression of Luhrmann as a technically dexterous visual virtuoso..."
Box Office - Lael Loewenstein (07/01/2001)
"...Breathless....McGregor's wide-eyed readiness to perform is an undiluted pleasure and he is at his most charismatic here..."
Sight and Sound - Jose Arroyo (09/01/2001)
"...A fever dream of musical spectacle....It showcases excellent work from co-stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (05/18/2001)
"...Spectacularly drenched in color, decor and other visual oh-la-la..."
USA Today (05/18/2001)
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