Moulin Rouge Review

In Baz Luhrmann's (director) own words, the movie was inspired by a quintessential Bollywood film in which the poor hero loves the rich girl (or vice versa) and ends up in a tragic or a happy ending, interspersed with scenes depicting comedy, romance, action, sentiments etc. not to forget the songs (every Indian film has lots of songs- even modern films have 5 songs at least).

True to his inspiration, the director churns out a Musical that has loads of songs that one could say the scenes were interspersed between the songs. However, you just breeze through the film because the songs (like all good songs should) blend with the situation. There are dream songs no doubt, but they reflect the mood of the moment and do not drift away from the story.

And the songs aren't bad either- each one is worthy of quite a few listening sessions but I doubt if they would sound spectacular while not watching the movie.

The movie itself is the typical love story- poor man with loads of artistic talent,breath-takingly beautiful courtesan, rich duke who wants the girl, the works.

And what's more, the ending is most certainly revealed by the narrator (the lover) in the beginning itself. So what's the fun, you ask me?

It's the journey that comprises all the rides, ups and downs, laughs and gags, tears and anger and all those emotions you can feel.

The story ends the way it began- with the words "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return"

The Indian connection continues in the movie, where the characters are busy preparing to put up a play which seems to be direct rip-off of a Sanskrit play The Little Clay Cart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%E1%B9%9Bcchakatika

Nicole Kidman as Satine is absolutely ravishing- she lives the role no less. She is effortlessly natural in all the scenes. Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars-The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith) as the penniless writer is good, can't say spectacular. The entire cast has been carefully chosed, and I couldn't find a single character who doesn't seem to fit in.

There are a few scenes which I feel leave a bitter taste- scenes where Christian shows jealousy etc. These scenes paint a different picture about Christian to the viewers, something that'll garner less sympathy, but overall, the story is brilliant and loads of fun to watch.

Verdict: Watch with your girlfriend (or spouse) or watch it alone! Don't watch it with family or you won't be able to laugh when you want to!