I only learned about the Moulin Rouge movie two months ago, but I have now watched it five times. It is, in my opinion, the most wonderful film I have ever seen. A breathtaking tour-de-force, a ground-breaking creative musical movie as never seen before. The talent of Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor to act, sing, and dance is both unbelievably good and awe inspiring. Their performances and on-screen chemistry are just magnetic and delicious.
It is an exquisite piece where you can tell that every shot was done with utmost care and delicacy. There is such a clear artistic vision behind the film. Australian director Baz Luhrmann is probably one of the best in his generation, an incredibly skilled professional and such a perfectionist! Every single scene of the movie seems to have been conceived in detail: the color palette, the angles, those baroque backdrops, the enchanting light…
But if there is a distinctive feature that separates Moulin Rouge from all other movies, it’s this precious gem: the music. It is just astonishing how the whole creative team behind-the-scenes were able to come up with such a superb, clear-cut example of what deconstructionism is. The selection of artists and their songs, the lyrics, all of it transposed to a whole new meaning. It is as if every song has been kindly smashed to pieces, after which each and every one of these jewels has been poured and melted into a brand-new vase of meaning.
A daring, bold, almost insolent move! An incredible reinterpretation! Every scene, every line, every lavish piece of dialogue provides those lyrical snippets with a completely different context. A masterful reinterpretation of classics from a wide variety of music genres and a careful selection of songs that become one true piece of art.
Simply the best.
For those who don’t know, the film takes place in late 1890s Paris in the district of Montmartre, the epicenter of Bohemian life (along with heavy absinthe consumption and, well, consumption). The Bohemians, including artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, stress the importance of four core values: beauty, freedom, truth, and, above all things, love. The penniless writer, a romantic poet named Christian, comes to Montmartre to seek the inspiration he lacks: Love.
To quote the movie, it is “A story about time, a story about a place, a story about the people. But above all things, a story about love. A love that will live forever.” It shows us that we are all able to find love and be in love, and the greatest joy in life is the love we have. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return!”
Toulouse sneaks Christian, who is disguised as a wealthy potential investor called The Duke, into the Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge, French for “Red Windmill,” is a nightclub based on the famous cabaret theater of the same name founded by Harold Zidler. Here, Christian discovers his true love in Zidler’s star dancer: a courtesan named Satine. They must keep their affair secret from the formidable real Duke and plan Satine’s escape to freedom – before it is too late.
The love that Christian and Satine share is what I hope one day I will find. “Come what may, I will love you until my dying day” is a lyric from “Come What May,” a song they sing together. Christian and Satine are determined to “overcome all obstacles” in order to be happy and in love. Against all odds, they finally prevail over the evil Duke, who is blinded by a murderous, jealous rage.
Ultimately, Moulin Rouge is a visually stunning and musically satisfying masterpiece, illustrating thoughtful care of cinematography and musical composition. It is what every jukebox musical should aspire to be and the perfect curtain call to Luhrmann’s romantic trilogy.
At the 2021 Tony Awards, Moulin Rouge! The Musical won 10 awards – the most of any production that night – including Best Musical. With more than 70 songs encapsulating 160-plus years of music history, the musical mashup extravaganza will have you tapping your toes and clapping along the beat. You’ll hear Offenbach’s iconic “Can-Can” melody from the 1800s, as well modern pop anthems from Grammy winners Lady Gaga and Pink, and Grammy nominees Katy Perry and Sia – all through the aural lens of Tony-winning orchestrations.
I am so excited to see this movie-turned-musical in person and hope you love this story as much as I do! Grab your ticket to enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL!
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P.S...
You can grab $49 tickets to MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL! as part of Pride Month, thanks to our special partnership with William Way LGBT Community Center.
Since 1975, the Center has evolved from a modest rented facility providing a few essential services, to a full-service center open year-round and engaging 2,000+ people each month from the Delaware Valley. The William Way LGBT Community Center (WWCC) seeks to engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area through our three main program areas: arts & culture--which includes an extensive LGBT history archives, lending library, and art gallery; health, well-being, and empowerment--which includes peer counseling, senior support, and general interest programs on faith & spirituality, fitness, employment, and education; and community connections--which supports nascent community organizations through free and low-cost space sharing arrangements and other opportunities for coalition-building.