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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Moulin Rouge (2001)

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 4)

Spectacular, Spectacular

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Director Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet) sets out to dazzle with this stunning musical, and he accomplishes just that. Ewan McGregor stars as a penniless writer who falls for a glamorous courtesan (Nicole Kidman), who is in turn engaged to a sexless and selfish Duke (Richard Roxburgh). When McGregor and Kidman sing classic FM radio hits (like "Heroes" and "Silly Love Songs") to each other, the film soars; the passion is palpable. But Moulin Rouge also counts on stale plot devices like the boring "quick-hide-behind-the-bed" bedroom farce scene. Yet a sense of timelessness and irony-free romance make this a winner.

I admired Baz Luhrmann's musical in the theater, even though it's not one of my favorite films of the year. But Fox's 2-disc set breaks all the boundaries for DVD excellence, even going so far as to match the amazing Fight Club DVD from last year. In 2010, Fox followed up with a super-deluxe Blu-Ray release, complete with several new extras.

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Trailer | Poster | Soundtrack | Book

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh, Kerry Walker, Christine Anu, Lara Mulcahy, David Wenham, Kylie Minogue
Written by: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 126 minutes
Date: June, 2001