Moulin Rouge

In this all singing all dancing musical directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo and Juliet and Australia) set in Paris in the early 1900s during the Bohemian Revolution. It tells the story of a struggling young poet (Ewan McGregor) who falls in love with the `sparkling diamond`- the lead courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman), in the loud and brightly coloured night club that is the Moulin Rouge.

The film was very well cast due to the chemistry between both Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor-on and off the screen. Baz Luhrmann cast Nicole and Ewan with them not knowing that they would have to sing. This worked and added to the fun of the film as they had professional dancers dancing alongside them.

Baz Luhrmann also made the film modern, not just by using actors that we recognise but music that we recognise too. A mixture of 80s chart pop and rock music that the audience can sing along to and have fun with. The main song in which the audience can relate to is `Your Song` (I will always love you) written by Elton John.

All through the film the audience want Satine and Christian to be together but a love triangle between Christian, Satine and the Duke erupts as the Duke owns the deeds to the Moulin Rouge and therefore owns Satine causing Satine and Christian to hide their love.

I like the fact that the storyline included Christian telling the story while writing it on his typewriter. The ending kept the audience in suspense as to who Satine would choose. 

By Emily Pontin