Overview
Cross LA BOHÈME 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 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 époque 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.
Awards:
Main Cast & Crew:
Baz Luhrmann - Director
Nicole Kidman
Wilson Alcorn
Ewan McGregor
John Leguizamo
Susan Black
Jim Broadbent
Kerry Casey
Richard Roxburgh
Ray Chambers
Peter Collingwood
Details
- Format: Blu-ray (Dubbed, Widescreen, Digital Theater System, AC-3, Dolby)
- Run Time: 131
- Color Format: Color
- UPC: 024543642176
- Genre: MUSICALS & CAST RECORDINGS
- Rating: PG-13 (MPAA) ((Parents Strongly Cautioned))
- Release Date: October 2010
Movie Reviews
Notes:
Theatrical Release: MAY 18, 2001 (LA/NY)
JUNE 1, 2001 (WIDE RELEASE)
Reviews:
"...Luhrmann's technique is flamboyantly operatic...[He] creates visual miracles..." - 06/07/2001 Rolling Stone, p.119-20
"...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..." - 05/18/2001 New York Times, p.E10
"...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..." - 05/14/2001 Variety, p.21-8
"...Spectacularly drenched in color, décor and other visual oh-la-la..." - 05/18/2001 USA Today, p.8E
"...Astonishing....The sweet-voiced Kidman has never been sexier....Daring..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars - 07/01/2001 Premiere, p.82-3
"...Stunning cinematic artistry....Dazzling....It is a powerful impression of Luhrmann as a technically dexterous visual virtuoso..." - 07/01/2001 Box Office, p.99
"...Breathless....McGregor's wide-eyed readiness to perform is an undiluted pleasure and he is at his most charismatic here..." - 09/01/2001 Sight and Sound, p.51-2
"...A fever dream of musical spectacle....It showcases excellent work from co-stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor..." - 05/18/2001 Los Angeles Times, p.1
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n honest, heartfelt paean to good old-fashioned love that's audacious in its wide-eyed passion..." - 03/01/2013 Total Film