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[Cinque] Favorite Film -- Moulin Rouge
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[CINQUE] -- Favorite Film - Moulin Rouge
Moulin RougeAfter much deliberation, I have decided that my favorite movie of all time is indeed Moulin Rouge.
I don't know where to begin. I first watched it with my sister in the cinemas. Honestly, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I wasn't even aware of the actors, plot, directors, and even the fact that it was a
musical.
At the opening sequence, I thought the movie was anything but thrilling. I thought it weird, gaudy and dizzying. I hadn't watched a movie musical in years. I simply did not expect it, and the music had come in full force, arresting my senses and making me blink several times, while thinking,
What the heck is going on here?My sister seemed fine, though. So I didn't complain. I decided to stay seated and take in all the wackiness that was so thoroughly being served up on the screen.
Finally, it was then that I recognized Ewan McGregor (shame, I know.) and wow was I surprised with his voice! I never even thought of actors who knew how to sing. It simply never crossed my mind. Same goes with Nicole Kidman. I had forgotten about her. But then she showed up on that swing and started singing. The whole audience was captivated--she was like a new beautiful face, a breakthrough actress that was truly a great find, only she wasn't new. And what a comeback it was for her--dancing and singing all the way.
Another thing that surprised me about the film was how "blunt" it was with touchy subjects like sex, etc. I was 12 years old, then, but quite mature, so I was able to handle the issues being portrayed pretty well. Thus, I was able to get over the uncomfortable things and just enjoy the movie and its REAL themes.
But enough of the talk on how I was uncomfortable with the movie! Time to tell you why I LOVED it.
The moment Satine (Kidman) and Christian (McGregor) started singing the part,
'And I will always love you...', that's when I started grinning. My eyes began to twinkle, so to speak. I was falling in love with the well-crafted medleys and the great-looking actors and the spectacular dances and flashes of color. I was enthralled. The movie was so fresh and unique and nothing like the movies I had been seeing as of late during that time.
Nevermind the fact that the movie was about a courtesan, that one of the main points of the movie was seduction and greed and lust, that it focused on the "underworld"--the dark part of revolutionary Paris that was in fact, giving the 'life' to the 'night'.
It was, as all cliches are in fact true, all about Love. And the overwhelming power of it. So overwhelming in fact that it could not be manifested and felt just through simple words, but through dancing and song! I believe the movie so perfectly captured the joys and pains of love, making it universal, though the setting is confined to a time and place simply engraved now in history. The themes are indeed timeless. The message rang loud and true, even after the haunting melody (which remains to be one of my favorites until now) of the ending credits had finished: love lives on.
After the movie (and much crying), my sister and I discussed, first of all, the movie's many triumphs: its near-perfection (impeded by the fact that the tragic ending was a tragic one), the gorgeous music and visuals, and its ability to artfully and creatively blend drama and comedy-- something not a lot of movies manage to pull off without being too much of a downer (or an upper) or something lackluster and in between.
All the actors did an amazing job in portraying their characters, in making them real people--so real in fact that I often catch myself wondering, was this a true story? Was it possible that in that year right before the beginning of the new century, there were indeed two lovers doomed by death? Indeed, the actors were so amazing, in fact, that for me, the next couple of months were devoted to looking for and watching movies starring them. Even those behind the scenes made an excellent job. Kudos to the director, Baz Luhrmann whose creativity still makes me envious of him (I know I must admit it).
I must say, I would feel sorry for those who have not watched Moulin Rouge. It's not just a movie, it's an experience that everyone ought to have.
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
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