Moulin Rouge is different from just about every other movie I have ever seen. And it is different from everything out now. But just because it is different doesn't mean it isn't a good movie. It is wonderful.

Ewan McGregor plays Christian, an aspiring poet who moves to Paris around the turn of the century. When the movie begins, he is in his room, and he goes to his typewriter and starts writing about the things that happened a year ago. You see how he met and became friends with a group of young bohemians who were working on a new show to perform. How he meets them is very funny. Christian finds himself picked to write the new show for his new friends. John Leguizamo plays one of the new friends - I can't remember his character's name now. He tells Christian that he has arranged for him (Christian) to meet Satine to discuss the play. If Satine is convinced that the show will be a hit, then she will help convince Zidler, the man who owns the Moulin Rouge, to do the show. Satine is played wonderfully by Nicole Kidman (who knew she could sing?). The only problem with the plan is that Zidler has arranged for Satine to meet the Duke that night. The Duke is very wealthy and Zidler hopes that he will finance a new show for the Moulin Rouge.

That night, Christian is in the theater when Satine does her performance. When they do meet, Satine thinks he is the Duke, which cause a bit of a misunderstanding between them at first. Then the Duke shows up, so Christian must hide. The Duke does end up seeing Satine and Christian together and he completely misreads the situation. But they calm him down by saying they are rehearsing the new show. Other characters pop out then and they all join in making a pitch to the Duke for the new show, singing and dancing, making it all up as they go. This was one of the funnier scenes of the movie. This also sets up the love triangle involving Christian, Satine, and the Duke.

Christian and Satine fall in love, but they must keep their love a secret from the Duke. He agreed to finance the new show, and the remodeling of the Moulin Rouge, but only if he got Satine exclusively. Satine does keep putting the Duke off, but he is getting very impatient. So Christian and Satine keep their affair secret from the Duke, but others around the theater know. A few of the people who know interfere and cause other things to happen.

This is really a beautiful love story. Seeing Christian and Satine fall in love is so touching. It is moving. Their story drew me in and I never lost interest. I loved the scene where they sing the different songs to each other. I hated the Duke because he was the reason they had to hide their love.

There are also several very funny scenes in this movie too. Like I mentioned earlier, the scene where they are pitching the show to the Duke is very funny. Everyone running around, singing, dancing, getting props from Satine's things, making it up as they go. It was very funny. I think the funnies scene was when Zidler and the Duke did their version of Madonna's Like a Virgin. I laughed so hard. It started off with Zidler explaining to the Duke why Satine was putting him off, and he started singing the song. Then the Duke joined in. Then it was like a big production number with dancing butlers - at least I think they were butlers. It was so funny.

This movie breathes new life to the musical. It isn't your normal musical. I think there were a few new songs used in the movie, but they are done in styles that are popular now. Most of the songs used in the movie are well know pop songs. Some of them are just bits and pieces of the songs. Like several times Christian would sing a line from Elton John's Your Song. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is the Elephant Love Melody. It takes place on top of, and then inside, the giant elephant that is Satine's bedroom. Christian and Satine sing bits and pieces of different love songs to each other. You wouldn't think that just pulling a line or 2 from several different songs and then putting them all together would work, but it does. I also loved when they sang Come What May later in the movie. Their voices sound so good together. Yes they both can sing. I have never seen a musical like this before, but I loved it and would love to see more like it.

At times this movie does move very fast, and is very loud, but it is ok once you get used to it. There were wonderful costumes and sets in this movie. The giant elephant that is Satine's bedroom is..I don't know how to describe it. Who would've thought an elephant could be a bedroom? It is a bit whimsical, but it works in this movie.

There is a unique group of characters in this movie. From the other girls that work at the Moulin Rouge to the character John Leguizamo plays. With the exception of the Duke and one of the girls, I thought they were all likeable. Even Zidler, who seemed to be just concerned with getting money from the Duke, but he honestly cared about Satine. He did a few things because he thought they were best for her.

This is just a wonderful movie. It is different from anything else you have ever seen. It is a bit strange in a few places, and I wondered what in the world was going on, but it is a wonderful movie. I really don't know how to describe it to do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. I really loved this movie. I didn't like the ending - I'm not saying why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not seen it - but I still loved the movie. It is a musical, at times it is a comedy, but above all else, it is a love story. A very beautiful, moving love story.

Recommended:
Yes