Saturday 21 May 2011

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Starred Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh, Jacek Koman, John Leguizamo, Kylie Minouge
2001, United States & Australia, English

While there are many references to original 1952 Huston movie, this isn’t a remake. The characters from original movie have been radically changed, anyway. Actually, it has nothing to do with 1952 movie. This one is a musical. Most numbers are a crazy remix, mix of different type of music genres. From tango to pop music, from traditional Hindu dances to classical musical numbers. I like some of them. Luhrmann says he was heavily influenced by Bollywood musicals while making the movie. But, many lines keep repeating in talking sequences, even some songs keep repeating, in my personal opinion, in an annoying way. Love story? Well, you decide for yourself, but not one of my favorite.

The movie won Best Art Direction and Costume Award at Oscars just like 1952 movie. Also nominated for Best Actress (Kidman), Cinematography, Editing, Makeup, Picture and Sound categories in Oscars. Won Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music, Best Supporting Actor (Broadbent) and Sound and received nominations for Special Visual Effects, Cinematography, Costume, Editing, Film, Makeup/Hair, Production Design, Original Screenplay and David Lean Award for Direction in BAFTA. Nominated to Palme d’Or in Cannes Film Festival. Won Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema (McGregor) and Screen International Award for Australia & USA in European Film Awards. Won Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture, Original Score and Actress (Kidman) and nominated for Best Director, Original Song (Come What May) and Actor (McGregor) in Golden Globes. Nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in Grammy Awards. Won Best Actress (Kidman), Musical Sequence and nominated for Best Cameo (Minogue), Best Kiss and Musical Sequence in MTV Movie Awards.