Movies/Moulin Rouge

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I saw it this afternoon, and liked it very much (although I'm sure there are those who wouldn't).

It's quite a spectacle, and beautifully imaginative and inventive, both visually and musically. I thought the cast were superb. I particularly enjoyed the earnestness with which the story was told, and that its designers and directors didn't allow it to devolve into a caricature of itself, which would have been very easy to do.

I'd listened to the soundtrack beforehand, which was fun if a little confusing, but I really liked knowing the songs while at the movie, particularly "Elephant Love Medley." -- Peter Kaminski, 20010607

One of the things that crystallized about it a few days afterwards was that it wasn't a "perfect" film -- one that hit on all cylinders and accomplished 100% of what it was trying to do. In fact, I remember thinking Luhrmann et cie hit well on only maybe 85% of what they were trying to do. Contrariwise, though, I felt they were trying to do 2 or 3 times what most other films do, so it was still wildly successful. But granted, not everyone will like it. -- Peter Kaminski, 20010617