Moulin Rouge! (2001)

A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo

Won 2 Oscars. Another 74 wins & 82 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Satine
Ewan McGregor	...	Christian
John Leguizamo	...	Toulouse-Lautrec
Jim Broadbent	...	Harold Zidler
Richard Roxburgh	...	The Duke
Garry McDonald	...	The Doctor
Jacek Koman	...	The Unconscious Argentinean
Matthew Whittet	...	Satie
Kerry Walker	...	Marie
Caroline O'Connor	...	Nini Legs In The Air
Christine Anu	...	Arabia
Natalie Mendoza	...	China Doll
Lara Mulcahy	...	Môme Fromage
David Wenham	...	Audrey
Kylie Minogue	...	The Green Fairy

Storyline

The year is 1899, and Christian, a young English writer, has come to Paris to follow the Bohemian revolution taking hold of the city's drug and prostitute infested underworld. And nowhere is the thrill of the underworld more alive than at the Moulin Rouge, a night club where the rich and poor men alike come to be entertained by the dancers, but things take a wicked turn for Christian as he starts a deadly love affair with the star courtesan of the club, Satine. But her affections are also coveted by the club's patron: the Duke. A dangerous love triangle ensues as Satine and Christian attempt to fight all odds to stay together but a force that not even love can conquer is taking its toll on Satine...

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Plot Keywords:

duke | moulin rouge | courtesan | bohemian | writer | 

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Taglines:

He entered in a world where fantasies are real.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Bazmark Inq. Pty Ltd Fox [fr] (French)

Country:

USA Australia

Language:

English French Spanish

Release Date:

1 June 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Moulin Rouge

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$52,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$173,895 (Austria) (19 October 2001)

Gross:

$57,386,369 (USA) (19 April 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Bazmark Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cat Stevens would not license his song "Father and Son", which was the first musical number in the original script, because of his current religious beliefs. He objected to the sexual content in the film. The scene featuring "Father and Son" was to have been between Christian and his father in his father's office, with all his father's employees joining in for the chorus. This was to be the segue into his leaving home for Paris. The scene is included in the complete script on the Special Edition DVD.

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Goofs

When Satty begins to play the piano in El Tango de Roxanne, Christian can be seen strolling along the sidelines of the ballroom. He passes the same man and woman three times, twice in a far shot and once close.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Toulouse-Lautrec: [singing] There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy...

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Crazy Credits

Curtains open at the beginning and close at the end of the movie. And at the bottom of the screen you can see an orchestra conductor.

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Connections

References Love Story (1970)

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Soundtracks

"The Show Must Go On"
Written by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon
Performed by Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent and Anthony Weigh
Produced by Blam, Josh G. Abrahams, Craig Armstrong and Marius De Vries (as Marius Devries)

User Reviews

Spectacular! Spectacular! A unique masterpiece to be seen again and again!

I have now seen Moulin Rouge more times than I should say and I have noticed something new and unique every time. This film is so intricate (and beautiful) that you cannot possibly absorb it all in one viewing. Luhrman (along with his Bazmark production team) really is a visionary and his films push the limits in such amazing ways. The music, the sets, the choreography - all of it is awe-inspiring. Ewan McGregor proves his versatility as an actor yet again by bringing such a heartfelt innocence to Christian - and the man can sing! Nicole Kidman went from being just another actress to me to one of my favorites - she takes on the role of Satine so honestly and proves that she not only has a comedic side but a great voice as well. Together the two of them light up the screen. In a year of mostly mediocre films (with a few notable exceptions) Moulin Rouge is totally refreshing. It not only promotes truth, beauty, freedom, and love but is a perfect example of them as well. Luhrman himself said that it was time for a new kind of storytelling and he was right! Open your mind and enjoy one of the most original movie experiences in years. A bohemian storm is brewing!