Moulin Rouge (2001)

 So, it's Valentine's Day and you know that means I have to watch a depressing film because love is dead, and I've been unlucky in love (not my fault, they know who they are) and this one, while not as depressing as last year's selection, certainly fit the bill.

Bizarre and ridiculous and yet still deliciously good, you kind of just have to go with this film. Christian (Ewan McGregor, is there anything he can't do?) is a young, up and coming writer who gets his first big break because of a case of mistaken identity and manages to instantly captures the heart of celebrated and talented courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman). But Satine is supposed to be in love with the Duke (Richard Roxburgh), but he's not the Duke of Hastings, so therefore he doesn't matter. And he's insanely jealous and once he realizes that she's not in love with him, he arranges to have Christian killed. 

But there's more. Satine is dying. From tuberculous and the MC of the Moulin Rouge, Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent, who apparently can also sing) wishes to protect his protégé. So, Satine pushes Christian away to protect him, but their love is too strong for him to stay away and while he is nearly shot, it is Satine who succumbs to her illness, leaving Christian heart-broken but alive to tell their love of how the greatest gift is to love and be loved in return. 

Now, while the film is all over place and the songs are both epic, heart-wrenching or hilariously bizarre, the performances, at least from McGregor, Broadbent and Kidman are completely solid. The mixing of the songs (various pop songs strung together) is utterly brilliant. The script is clever, filled with plenty of implied meanings and the editing is great, so the film is a must watch for any film or music lover. Grade: A-

Side Notes:

-The dancing is also incredible and there is some ingenious choreography.

-Unfortunately, despite the excellent music, as none of the songs were truly original, it was denied a nomination for best original song at the Oscars.

-This is one of three films that Jim Broadbent appeared in in 2001 that earned his leading lady an Oscar nomination. None of them would win, however, proving that his wasn't a good luck charm.