The next entry on my list is a tricky one. Not only does it come from a highly divisive genre, but this particular film from said genre is one of the definitive "love it or hate it" films of this, or any, decade. Obviously I'm on the "love" side of the argument, and here's why...
#10 "Moulin Rouge!" (2001) by Baz Luhrmann: The first half of the one-two-punch musical revival in the early years of the 21st century, "Moulin Rouge!" is a film that simultaneously enthralls and turns off sectors of the audience in its first 25 minutes. After a brief but somber opening, we flash back to a world of color, decadence, Absinthe-induced hallucinations, and anachronistic singing, nearly all of which takes place under the titular dance hall/brothel. The humor is wacky and broad, the editing frenetic as all get out, and the combination of past and present and everything in between seamless, albeit a tad jarring at first (it's not everyday the Green Fairy whisks you off to a nightclub before turning into Ozzy Osbourne). So while the first portion of the film may hectically cover everything from Nirvana to classic Broadway tunes, it does so on its own terms, and thus the songs fit into Luhrmann's wild vision instead of sticking out awkwardly and clashing with each other. By turning to more modern music, Luhrmann is able to give us a better perspective of the decadence of places like the Moulin Rouge. But it's not just a pleasure for the ears; visually it's one of the most beautiful things ever put on film, with rich reds filling up the background while golds, blues, greens, and just about everything else take up the rest of the space, whether it's in the sets or the stunning costumes, both of which won well-deserved Oscars. Performances are nothing short of a delight. McGregor's evolution from shy, nervous, and appropriately named writer (Christian) to true-blue bohemian is a joy to watch, made even better by his remarkable singing voice. Jim Broadbent as the larger than life Harold Zidler, John Leguizamo as Toulouse Lautrec, and Richard Roxburgh as the villainous Duke only add to the color on screen. But the film ultimately belongs to McGregor and the as-yet-unmentioned Nicole Kidman as Satine, the jewel of the Moulin Rouge. Whether she's singing a sexy and stunning rendition of "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", or tearing up and desperately trying to escape from her arranged marriage to the Duke with old Hollywood style, she's absolutely radiant, and gets to loosen up and play a warmer character than usual. As one critic put it in his review, "Kidman does not let the costumes wear her; she most definitely wears them." Where Lurhmann also succeeds is in his ability to move between comedy, drama, and tragedy effortlessly. A scene involving a tragic incident is followed by a hilarious and outrageous rendition of "Like a Virgin". But Luhrmann is no slouch when it comes to the serious stuff. Appropriately, as the film draws toward its climax, the pacing gradually decreases, which helps to build and emphasize the emotions being played out on screen, and in both dialogue and song, the film can be serious, but always with a dramatic flair. Indeed, this being a musical, the film's best and darkest sequence is a stunning rendition of The Police's "Roxanne", which is turned into a passionate tango. Yet for all its style, the film's ending never loses impact, not only thanks to the strength of the leads, but also due to Mr. Luhrmann's ability to make us care for these people amid all of the visual chaos. So for all of its strangeness and creative liberties, there's still the matter of the story. Yes, when you strip away all of the bright lights and gorgeous costumes it IS your typical "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy tries to get girl back" love story, but what makes Mr. Lurhmann's polarizing, visually overwhelming movie a success can be summed up in one simple saying: sometimes you don't need to tell a unique story, but just tell a story that's been done before in a way so refreshing and different that it makes it feel new all over again.
Final Grade: A
Best Performance: Nicole Kidman
Best Scene:
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