Review of Moulin Rouge! (2001) by Enrica C — 12 Apr 2012

This is one of those difficult movie to rate. On one hand I do consider "Moulin Rouge!" a masterpiece, but on the other I have to admit that there are many different defects here and there -- but I did grow up with it (kind of), so it's difficult to be objective and review it in the most righteous of ways. I'd just say that being this a Baz Luhrmann movie, it's very theatrical and stage-y: this can be either a good or a bad thing, depending on what you like. I'm kind of in between.

I do enjoy the soundtrack. I like McGregor and Kidman's voices, and all the actors involved in the production did a great job. It's not easy to sing and act in a movie -- so kudos for that. I generally like the plot and find it intriguing and very sad, but I think that Luhrmann made a big mistake: he made fun of its own story. This is a dramatic movie, it's supposed to be a dark and sad love story, so why are there a few lines that tease the most dramatic moments of the story? I really don't like that part and lines such as 'I forgot my line!' -- that just ruins those moments for me.

This isn't either the best musical ever realized or Luhrmann's best movie, but it's still a very well-shoot movie. "Moulin Rouge!" is different in many different ways, and I love the way most scenes were filmed -- but I think it could have been an even better movie if only everything was kept more serious. Be aware: this is a very sad story. Recommended, if you usually enjoy musicals.