The best way I can think of to describe Moulin Rouge is that it's like a bunch of shards of mostly beautiful stained glass all jumbled together in chaotic fashion rather than given meaning by an orderly framework. There are parts I absolutely loved - David Wenham's Audrey, Ewan singing "Your Song" to Nicole, the Can-can, Broadbent singing "Like a Virgin"... but it didn't hold together for me, and a lot of the frenetic transitions actively pissed me off.

Broadbent singing "Like a Virgin"

::shudder:: This was a total watch-from-the-hall moment.

I thought that it was stunning to look at, but I felt that besides Ewan and Jim Boradbent, everyone else was mediocre. And in musicals (as muuch as I dislike the genre) the songs are supposed to ultimate expression of heightened emotion. To me, it felt like the songs were used as expression enough for the emotion, and it was mostly absent elsewhere. Especially in Nicole Kidman's acting.

I thought the use of Roxanne was brilliant, not least of all because it took a while for it to click for me.

As for the others ... middle of the road. I like the idea of the reuse, but I didn't adore it.

I thought the use of Roxanne was brilliant

The guy who was *bellowing* like a donkey? That was loathesome.

I adored Roxanne. Didn't love the movie on the first go-round, but liked it very much the second and third time through. Ewan is incredible. However, I am a big ginormous musical geek, so the lameness of the plot didn't bother me--I have no trouble accepting the ridiculousness of "Seven Brides" or "Molly Brown" or "Carousel" any of the musicals I love which would drive me insane with wrath if they were done as regular dramas.

I admit I don't remember the delivery of Roxanne (Mr. Sumner is braying it in my head), but it is quite precisely what the movie was about, the dance scene was great, and I didn't for a second see it coming.

I felt almost overwhelmed by Moulin Rouge the first time I saw it, but I love the music, including Roxanne.

for the record, La Boheme was based on Camille.

I just saw Sideways today. I liked it better than Lost in Translation & Big Fish. I don't think it is really fair to compare it to Eternal Sunshine, the storytelling technique is so different and the amusement I felt at Sideways was much greater.

You're all wrong.

hugs Moulin Rouge tightly

See, I knew there was (another) reason I loved P-C.

I understand why people dislike Moulin Rouge. That doesn't stop me from adoring the movie, singing along with it, and tearing up at the end every. damn. time.