The Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love of Moulin Rouge

There was a boy...a very strange, enchanted boy. They say he wandered very far...very far...over land and seas...

And then one day...one magic day he passed my way. And while he spoke of many things...fools and kings...this he said to me:

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

Perhaps it was because of the theatrical and cabaret aspect of the poster. Perhaps it was because the actors cast possessed notable reputations (and an attractive following, if I may say so). Perhaps it was the curious and mesmerizing tone of narration. Perhaps the creative interpretation of its message of "Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love" came out still as something universal. Perhaps it was the whimsical arrangement of images that captivated my senses and imagination. Perhaps it was the haunting spell of the music and the strange emotions it invoked.



Or perhaps it was because of all these reasons... that made me fall in love with Moulin Rouge.



In a nutshell, I suppose it was because of its bohemian and avant-garde nature. Among the things that amused me most was the array of colors that splashed consistently from beginning to end. How they applied the Parisian culture to the set, the costume and make-up, the singing and dancing---it was moving art.



An avid fan of musicals, I found the songs to be individual masterpieces. I marvel at how they combined 21st century elements to classical styles; (for instance, their own version of "Like a Virgin" and "Elephant Love Medley" contained pop and rock elements but was modified into their own definition of Broadway songs).



But perhaps it's also because I'm biased over Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. How they separate their normal selves and internalize their characters are for me, true characteristics of believable acting. (Ewan McGregor transforms his "bad boy" image in reality into Christian, a sweet, romantic idealist and writer, while Nicole Kidman, (although retaining her breathless, ethereal voice) portrays Satine, the "diamond" courtesan of the Moulin Rouge. And their tragic fates, have sent me to tears.



Lastly, I look for and appreciate movies that give an impression of reading a well-written book. I love a variety of characters and how each of their lives connect in some, rare yet ironically ordinary way. What also interests how a movie/book narrows down on the unique and eccentric qualities of characters and how they affect both the other characters involved in the story and the readers/viewers philosophies of things. And Moulin Rouge, has indeed, fulfilled this criteria of mine.



If I may use Harold Zidler's own words to describe it, it truly is a "Spectacular, Spectacular!" film one should not miss.