Moulin Rouge! (2001)

MOULIN ROUGE Title: Moulin Rouge
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Country of Publishing: USA
Year of Publishing: 2002 (made in 2001) Genre : Romance/drama
Main Actors: Nicole Kidman, Ewan Mc Gregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
I saw the film at school Summary The story’s about Christian, a writer from London. He’s going to Paris, yo find true love and inspiration. He arrives in Montmartre. His father warned him that this was a bad neighbourhood full of scum and hookers. In the beginning you see him writing his story. He’s the narrator in the film, telling his sad love story. Christian meets a group of actors in Montmartre, and he’s going to write a play for them. He meets the local star Satine by accident in the Moulin Rouge, a popular night-club. Satine is very famous in Paris, and adored by all men, especially the Duke. The Duke is a dirty, little, old but rich man. He also finances the play, and if it’s not like he desires it, the Moulin Rouge will be his’. The owner of the Moulin Rouge, Zidler, had to make this agreement otherwise the play can’t be afforded. Another thing is that Satine’s been promised to the Duke. He’s very jealous and wants to possess Satine. Zidler is a thick, quite strict man but he has a good heart. He makes many decisions out of fear or because there’s no other choice. In the meanwhile, Christian is allowed to direct the play in the Moulin Rouge and falls in love with Satine at first sight. She’s going to play the main part of the play. After some time, Christian slowly but surely wins Satine;s love. The love between Satine and Christian can’t last, because she’s promised to the Duke. Practising the play, they have passionate and intimate moments. The play tells their story in which the secret love is inserted. Satine’s love gives Christian inspiration again, and he bases his play on his own experiences. But, as said, it can’t work out. The Duke discovers the love, and orders Christian to be death when he still sees Satine. At the end of the film, the play is performed. The play is going all wrong, but looks like a great, professional performed spectacle. Christian joins in the play as Satine’s lover. At last, Satine, who was already very ill but hid it for Christian, dies in his arms. This is also the main reason why he’s writing his story. I think the most important parts of the film are music, clothes, acting/dancing and creating the sphere of a night-club of those times. You can see how it went, and that people weren’t that different: Mainly out for sex, money and fun. Music Music plays the most important role in the whole film. This is of course because it’s a musical, but in Moulin Rouge music ‘dictates’ the whole movie. The whole film is based on music. A lot of songs from the 20th century are used with a slightly different melody. It’s a kind of dedication to some of the greatest artists of the last age. Examples are; John Lennon, Paul Mc Cartney, Sting, David Bowie and Dolly Parton. Only parts of these songs are used and sometimes the texts are just spoken. Parts of the songs are combined to one new song which tells the story. The music is used to tell the viewers what’s happening in an original way .Using modern songs makes the film more funny and attractive to watch. It creates an atmosphere that fits into the film. Love songs are sung in romantic scenes and fast background music is played in action scenes. With the music, the director creates a perfect atmosphere, and makes the movie attractive.
Camera editing and montage A lot of different angles are used. Especially in the scene that Satine is performing her show. The camera flies into the night-club and takes an overshot of the dancers. It takes shots from all sides so you get a good view of what it looked like. It’s going really fast and you don’t immediately understand what’s going on. The camera is also turning, so you get half upside-down views. This is a bit confusing, but adapts good to the atmosphere of the scene. The camera-angles are used in such way you get completely into the music, like you are right there in the audience. During the film, close-ups are made from the main actors a lot. In times of action, the camera turns around the spot so you get a good view of what’s going on. This makes things more exciting. At romantic moments, close-ups are taken from the actors, and bird perspective is used. Then you see them standing in a lighted spot, which creates an emotional atmosphere. Colour Especially in the Moulin Rouge, a lot o different, flashy colours are used. The courtesans are dressed up in colourful clothes, wearing wigs, fake eyelashes and heavy, colourful make-up. This draws your attention to those spots. Satine is dressed in a silver dress, which is a completely different colour than the others are wearing. This draws the attention to her. Also the lights are very colourful. The Moulin Rouge is a centre of light in the dark quarter of Montmartre. The men are wearing just colours like black and grey, and you don’t pay attention to them. Outside the moulin rouge, everything is dark too. Shots outside are almost always at night, or with heavy rain. The only source of colour is the Moulin Rouge. This again, fixes your attention. The outside world just isn’t important to the film. It doesn’t contribute to it. Also the play is filled with unbelievable many colours. The whole theatre is dark, and the stage is full of light and colours. It’s almost too colourful, so you don’t know what’s going on anymore. A lot of dancing and movement, and even fireworks, make it a real spectacle. There is also a contrast between Christian, dressed in simple unnoticeable clothes, and Satine in her colourful, sexy dresses. This makes them a quite special couple. Opinion I think it’s a good film, that will satisfy a huge public. There’s a good plot. I think a real strong point is that the writer told his story actually in his story. The play is actually the story of the film, but told in a different way. I also think that there’s a good use of music and visual effects. Although, Romance and Drama films are certainly not my favourite types of films. Still I think it’s a good film because it has everything in it that people want to see; Love, humour, action, music and of course good-looking actors. A good film, but not my taste. For me, it’s a bit too dramatic. Another weak point is that the jokes are often a bit cliché, and too easy. The acting and the plot make up a bog part, and so it wasn’t that bad to watch it. I think people who like drama, should really watch this film. The film is realistic. The story could have happened in reality. Of course, some imagination is needed, but there are no impossible situations. People like Christian and Satine could have existed. The actors did a great job. The director hired two great actors, who showed their value in this film. Their performance is very realistic and of high standing level. Also, their first songs are well performed. The choice of these actors was a good one I think. The director didn’t choose for too big stars, and he chose for people with a natural look. There are a lot of attributes in the film. When you look how many costumes, grime and make-up would have been necessary, it’s unbelievable. So many courtesans who are all dressed up different. Also the Moulin Rouge is very realistic pointed out. You get a good idea of what was going on. Of course, the music brings in an important part too. This is necessary for a musical. I liked the music a lot, because they used good songs in a nice ways. I think that may be even the strongest point of the film. My overall judgement is rather positive. I think it’s a really good film, but it’s not my style. That’s why I personally enjoyed it less. I would recommend it to people, but those people should like these kind of films (drama, romance). To other people I wouldn’t recommend it. I think it’s good I saw this film once, but I don’t think I would go and watch it again some time.