Moulin Rouge has been my favorite movie since the first time I saw it, when I was just three-years-old. I toddled into the room where my older siblings were watching it, and although in retrospect I didn't understand all of the plot points (like the fact that all the action centers around a Parisian brothel), I still loved the movie for its music, energy and impressive visuals. As I got older, I grew to appreciate Moulin Rouge on a deeper level, for the beauty of the message it sends. There are many, many wonderful things about Moulin Rouge. Allow me to share:
1. It is a classic story of forbidden love, but it is anything but cliché.
Contrary to popular belief, Moulin Rouge is not based on Romeo and Juliet. It is actually based on three different works: La Vie de Bohème, a collection of stories by Henri Murger; La Traviata, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi; and Orpheus in the Underworld, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach.
2. The story is, at its core, a tragedy. But it's also really, really funny.
Moulin Rouge is a pastiche, which is similar to satire. But unlike satire, pastiche celebrates the genre it parodies. The comedy of Moulin Rouge lies in its playful, over-the-top and even ridiculous mocking of the romantic genre. It gives a whole new meaning to the term "tragicomedy."
3. It manages to romanticize a truly gritty place: a Paris brothel circa 1900.
They found love in a hopeless place.
4. The visuals are incredible.
Stunning doesn't even begin to do them justice. Moulin Rouge was directed by Baz Luhrmann, an Australian director known for his extravagant, dazzling visuals. Still not convinced? He also directed the 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, as well as Chanel No. 5's "The One That I Want" commercial featuring Gisele Bündchen (which has been airing on TV for close to two years).
5. The music is very recognizable.
Moulin Rouge is a jukebox musical, which means its soundtrack is comprised mainly of previously-released, popular songs. It's really cool to see how the filmmakers adapted songs like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Madonna's "Like A Virgin," and The Police's "Roxanne" to fit the theme of the movie.
6. In fact, some of the Moulin Rouge versions of songs are better than the original recordings themselves.
I often think I like Elton John's "Your Song." But then I listen to it and I realize that I actually just like the Moulin Rouge version.
7. Three words: Ewan McGregor's voice.
That reaction says it all.
How wonderful life is now that Ewan McGregor's voice is forever immortalized in this film. It's as if Michael Bublé and Josh Groban had a beautiful lovechild whose godparent was Harry Connick Jr. It is beautiful.
8. "Come What May" is the most beautiful secret communication of love ever written.
This is actually the only original song in the entire film. It was originally written for Baz Luhrmann's earlier endeavor Romeo + Juliet, but it was scrapped during production. Luckily, it was repurposed in Moulin Rouge, where it fits in perfectly and always makes those heart strings sing.
9. The finale is an absolute tearjerker.
I won't spoil it for you, but you know this movie has to be good when I've seen it at least 50 times and yet the finale has never failed to make me cry. Not once.
10. It has the most beautiful message.
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." That is some pure poetry we can all get behind.
