Moulin Rouge!

In the first fifteen minutes or so I was already saying that it is unbearably over-styled, tasteless, bullshit… and wasn’t far from turning it off. But then – and I didn’t notice exactly when it happened – I realised how much I was enjoying it. I don’t think I ever had such a total change of opinion while watching a film. I can’t provide a sufficiently reasonable explanation why I’m giving five stars to this piece of kitsch, but I just can’t help it. (21/08/2009)

Sometimes I tell myself that it's hardly possible for there to exist such a precisely balanced border between deafening noise and indescribable beauty. A highly romantic affair, in which a tremendous amount of tension lies hidden, led by my favorite film scene of all time: The hiding of the main couple, ingeniously built up to the perfect Because she doesn't love you! moment. The pinnacle of cinematography and the most emotionally captivating affair. Thank you, Baz Luhrmann, for the best film I have ever seen. (23/12/2004)

Kitschy, over-stylized, zany, and wildly postmodern — Moulin Rouge! is a rollercoaster you can't help but love. Right from the start, it doesn't let up. The rapid-fire editing takes some getting used to, and the humor might seem dumb at first, but stick with it and keep an open mind, and you'll likely find yourself completely swept up in it, just like I did. The mix of humor, romance, and drama can feel a bit over-the-top and uneven, but it worked for me. Plus, what starts as a comedy transforms into a powerful and intense drama in the second half, solidifying the film's uniqueness. The romantic storyline isn't groundbreaking, but it's executed so well that you forgive the clichés and just enjoy the ride. The musical highlights for me are definitely "Your Song" and "Elephant Love Medley." The chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor is perfect and feels completely natural. My only real gripe is that the film's resolution is revealed right from the beginning. While the ending is still strong, it might have hit even harder if we didn't know what was coming. All in all, it's a magical film I'll watch many times over. (08/10/2017)

You can expect many things from this film, but you’ll get something different. First of all, it’s worth mentioning the beautiful songs and the amazing performances; I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many likeable actors together. The opening part, playing on a very bold and fun note, blew me away, with its unique costumes, sets, choreographies, and then Nirvana's “Smeels Like Teen Spirit” kicks in – just a blast. The rest of the film is also conducted in the most original spirit and is a feast for the eyes and ears, but I didn't like the more romantic, sometimes a bit depressing part so much. It was still an enjoyable show, but the crazy beginning made a stronger impression. 80% (28/02/2012)

I've kept Moulin Rouge in my cupboard of unwatched films for a relatively long time and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see this musical classic on the big screen for the first time, where its qualities stood out all the more. From the very first minutes, we are thrown into a slightly maddening carousel of events interwoven with colourful costumes and sets, amazing singing and dancing sequences, and especially strong and convincing performances of a tragicomic nature. Of the ensemble cast, I was most impressed by Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman, who gave unforgettable and supremely plastic creations. I must also praise the plethora of interludes referring to various legendary songs, which surprisingly fit perfectly into the scenes, and the visuals and cinematography referring to different periods or genres of cinema. A film that is a feast for the senses and forms an unmissable gem within its genre. (13/11/2018)