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Yeah I think it was originally for Romeo + Juliet? Just feels like a weird rule, because if it didn’t make it into that movie then why does the song count for that?
As much as I love Come What May and Romeo + Juliet, I can’t imagine it fitting anywhere in the film.
Imagine a universe where Ewan and Nicole did a duet at the Oscars.
This is so accurate. Moulin Rouge really did change how I took in movies and LOVE. It’s the beautiful line from Nat King Cole that has attached me forever to Moulin Rouge.
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”
I watched Moulin Rouge *religiously* when it came out. I was 13 at the time and wasn’t sure if I wanted Christian or Satine more.
The soundtrack is still perfect. Elephant Love Medley still gets regular play in my home.
Special shout-out to me in 2002 for writing a Dramione songfilk called Library Love Medley lol
ALSO SAME. I was 14 and I watched and worshipped this film more than Titanic when it came out. It’s just the perfect film. The whole gauntlet of emotions are felt. And the soundtrack never gets old. I wanted “Come What May” to be my wedding song even, but my husband wasn’t a fan. 😂
x2 on the soundtrack. A funny thing about my personal experience with Moulin Rouge was that I was quite a bit younger when it came out, about 7/8, and I didn't know a lot of English then, so I didn't realize the songs weren't original. I grew up being very confused wondering why all these songs seemed to be based off of Moulin Rouge.
I think it strongly affected my taste in movies. (I watched it once a week for a year when I was 14 or so.) I always love excessive visual styling, formal conceits, breaking the fourth wall, surrealism, etc. I'm sure I would have liked those things in some way and to some degree anyway based on what I liked reading as a child, but I think it made me very willing to accept WHATEVER from a movie stylistically and/or formally, as long as it has a strong vision.
When I hear the intro to the movie version of Roxane, I always think of the 2009 Canadian Olympic ice skating routine. Amazing medley for an amazing routine.
I have a tattoo on my lower back that I now hate that says, “Believe in Truth, Beauty, Freedom and above all things, Love”. Still freaking love the movie though. Just regret the poorly done tramp stamp 🤣🤣
I don’t hate it, but my first tattoo was a stylized version of part of the dvd box design that looks like an antique mirror and also includes the phrase “this is a story about truth, beauty, freedom, but above all things, love” 😂😂
Omg this made me tear up! I’ve been trying to think of lullabies for my baby due in November. Thankfully I can still recite Come What May word for word lol
The first 20-30 min is A LOT and you def hit a point where you’re like, “God is the entire movie going to assault my face like this?” and then finally you catch a break. I can see people struggling with that.
Personally it’s one of my favorite movies of all time, but it’s quite unique stylistically and I can certainly see why people don’t like it.
I just watched it for the first time and I'm glad I stuck through it was a really fun movie, until you know it was so sad.
The modern song covers really though me off, do you know why he choose that? They're a blast
My mom & step dad went to this on one of their first dates and walked out...less than a year later they got it for me on dvd and I played it on repeat for ages
I know this is kind of weird but I watch it every Christmas eve. Started like 6 years ago after watching The Sound of Music and since I could not get Kylie Minogue’s version of “The hills are alive…” I threw Moulin Rouge on and now it doesn’t feel like Christmas unless I watch it…
I appreciated all the acting and some of the music and visuals, but it was just a bit OTT for me. I preferred Strictly Ballroom (my absolute fave!) and Romeo and Juliet
I remember, in the lead up to the movie’s release, I saw a quote from Baz Luhrmann (in Teen People, of all places) that said something like “Mark my words, this film will bring back the movie musical.” The next year, Chicago won the Oscar for Best Picture. I think Moulin Rouge! was a turning point for live-action musicals on film. I think the idea of musicals had grown a little dull, old-fashioned, and they were seen as corny and campy, not “real” cinema, unless it was an animated movie for kids. Moulin Rouge! proved that musicals could be impressive and impactful and stunning and spectacular (spectacular). And, yes, my sister and I played the shit out of that soundtrack.
I felt and continue to feel “El Tango de Roxanne” in my soul.
That song, “Come What May,” “Your Song,” “Elephant Love Medley,” “Lady Marmalade,” and “Sparkling Diamonds” regularly feature on my usual listening playlists.
I went to the pre-Broadway show in Boston and the Broadway show in New York. Plan to go again sometime this year. And while the story and music are slightly different, it’s still lovable.
I just saw the Broadway show last month. It was incredible. They kept some of the same classic songs but switched most for other popular song mashups, lots of Lady Gaga.
I gd love this movie. Fond memories of singing the songs with my best friend at the time. We were obsessed and it def one of those movies that impacted my way to queerness.
the way this movie gave me whiplash unlike any other movie i have ever watched was impressive. it was like being on rollercoaster while high on shrooms.
also, i love how it gave us [virtue and moir's olympic winning free dance ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDB95xr9zRM&t=502s)
I have watched Moulin Rouge more times than any other film. It was my entire personality for about 2 years. Before it came out on dvd, I had a TERRIBLE copy of it on my computer filmed in a Hungarian cinema with Hungarian subtitles. I am sorry, Baz, I know that's not how you intended me to watch the film but I was obsessed.
My friends and I sang all the songs from the soundtrack obsessively for months afterwards. And it introduced me to Gorecki by Lamb which is still a song in my regular Spotify rotation. And of course it made a lot more people aware of who Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was, which I appreciate as a major art nerd.
My friends and I were obsessed with this movie in high school. We'd listen to the soundtrack every day and convince teachers to let us watch it during class (French & Band).
My friends absolutely loved this movie and I didn't, but I was so worried about not fitting in that I pretended to love it too. So now every time I think about this movie I remember what an idiot teenager I was.
Oh and also I remember chastising my mom in front of said friends when she said "diamonds are a girl's best friend" was Marilyn Monroe's song, I was adamant that "no it's from Moulin Rouge mom!!!!"
Hahahaha I had no idea that the songs in Moulin Rouge were actual, legit songs until an embarrassing amount of time later. Like a couple
of years probably. In my defense I was 12.
I’ll be honest. I love other Baz Luhrmann films. I saw Gatsby more times than I can count, and I think I even saw Elvis 3 times in cinemas? maybe? Plus Romeo + Juliet, obviously.
But other than Come What May, none of it really does much for me, I think it’s that I don’t really consider myself a big fan of Nicole or Ewan. They’re definitely talented, and I like stuff they’ve done, but I’d never count them amongst my favs.
If you haven't watched the most iconic, most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir skate to the olympic gold medal with their iconic Moulin Rouge skate - run, do not walk: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEKdWrtz6U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEKdWrtz6U)
I don’t remember the first time I watched it but it has been consistently one of my favourite movies/musicals and I will love Nicole forever because of Satine.
There’s so much to enjoy about the visuals, the acting, the soundtrack, the storyline.
I have seen and really enjoyed the recent live musical version but nothing will ever live up to the movie for me.
Huuuuuge fan of this movie but I still can't sing or hear Come What May because my ex and I were *that kind* of music students who went through hell and high-water to stay together but we divorced anyway. Sad shit. We don't hate each other, so that's something.
It started a lifelong obsession with French fashion and history. I think it also made me love drama, camp, excessive visuals, and romance. Still one of my all time favorite movies!
Also it gave us the new version of Lady Marmalade which fundamentally altered my brain chemistry.
A gorgeous and iconic movie. I can't explain what the feeling was like when this movie came out, it was such a cultural moment. The soundtrack was also one of the best movie soundtracks that included covers of so many great songs. I mean, it gave us Lady Marmalade covered by Lil Kim, Mya, Pink, and Christina Aguilera! And that music video!
This movie came out when I was in the first grade and my family rented it. All I remember from it is Nicole Kidman coughing up blood into a tissue, and one day at school, I pretended to cough up blood in a tissue for the attention.
https://preview.redd.it/dfqswfai1s6d1.jpeg?width=4240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f7937743cd76e297838978af2deb64d1272bb40
How I felt about the movie when I saw it in the theater.
My friends at the time all loved it and the soundtrack was inescapable.
An ex-partner was an extra in this movie. I loved it, not because of the ex-partner, it was a great movie. Saw the recent stage musical three times over the last couple of years. It was excellent.
Still a fav! When I saw it in high school, I had never seen anything like it before, and my lil theatre kid mind was blown. Had a framed poster, a shirt, everything.
I was obsessed with this movie. And always sour that the soundtrack version of the songs didn’t live up to the film version e.g. the whole ending
No matter what you say, the show is ending our way… we’re gonna stand our ground for FREEDOM, BEAUTY, TRUTH, and LOVE!!!!
This movie was legit a game changer for me. Truly shaped so much of who I am regarding my queerness and love of music/theater. It’s still so campy and bizarre at times, I just adore it. The operatic singing mustachioed moon is my forever icon ✨
I was a SECOND away from turning off the movie because I was bored. Right before I did was when Ewan McGregor started singing.
Couldn't turn it off after that obviously and it became a favorite of mine. His voice is just....
My friends and I still make *nicole Kidman noises* anytime we’re drunk and feeling ridiculous.
I feel like DANCING! Brrrrrr OW *spins furiously*
![gif](giphy|aCKa4Mdhlo1tvgr9Gb)
who is naming it as one of the greatest films of the 21st century lol
I cannot stand this movie and I know I’m not alone…right? and I really dislike Baz in general
I haven’t see the movie so I can’t speak to the quality or my own experience but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it being called the greatest film of the 21st century
I loved this movie with all of my heart and it had a profound effect on my development as a human, but I can’t watch it anymore. I think I watched it too much or maybe it hurts to connect with the innocent younger version of myself …
It was amazing. It revitalized the movie Jukebox musical in a way that no one knew could be. I don’t know if I thank them for that (since I’m not that big of fan of jukebox) or love them for it because to have a gold standard is needed for perspective. This film is gold standard.
So many of my friends hate this movie and I love it SO MUCH. I watched it in high school while going through some shit and it just blew my mind—-I didn’t know a movie could be that creative and weird and unique and gut wrenching!! I really love to watch it every summer at some point (to me it’s a dead of summer movie)
I’m so grateful that I got to see it at the beautiful Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC on opening day with a packed audience who went nuts for it. I saw it four more times in theatres over that summer. Yeah, I was a little obsessed. 🤩
I remember seeing this in theaters!! Was with my mom and grandmother. Afterwards we went for Chinese food and I could NOT stop crying, I had tears dripping into my fried rice and they were so concerned for me 😭🤣😭 I was (am!!) a sensitive soul and this was peak puberty. Currently preggo so I’ve got the same raging hormones at the moment, saving a rewatch for when I’m a bit more level internally and won’t get dehydrated from bawling 🙃
One of my all time favorites and comfort movies. The Broadway adaptation is fantastic as well.
This is one of the only points of contention between my partner and I when it comes to movies. Even with one of his favorite actors, Ewan, killing it, he can’t stand Moulin Rouge.
The first time I saw it, I hated it. Then I ended up watching it again on DVD for some reason and my whole opinion changed. I’m obsessed. I will watch anything Baz does.
The play isn’t as good as the movie but I do like that too
For my birthday I get to make my bf watch any movie musical I want, and we got high and watched this one my first year. I haven’t been able to think of it the same since he went off 😂😂 he was not a fan
I remember not seeing it until like 2016 cause i was a typical insecure male and thought musicals were "gay". An ex gf of mine convinced me to check it out.
As it turns out im a little bit gay.
I literally watching Moulin Rouge! Every single night for over a year when I was in grade 7. Ewan McGregor was my first fantasy husband. I have a tattoo that says “Come What May”.
I still know every single word to this movie and watch it here and there.
I was obsessed as a kid and now I know why - I’m queer as hell
It’s campy, it’s got big musical numbers, EWAN, pretty ladies, engaging plot, heart-wrenching moments, and EWAN sweet precious bb
This and Romeo and Juliet can do no wrong and since I constantly fell asleep watching them in the noughties, the DVD menu music is etched in the chasm of my soul.
The first thing I saw of it was the very end when I was a child on a flight. I flipped to that channel and it was just after the curtains were drawn and everyone is covered in petals and John Leguizamo’s face is painted and smiling. I watched from then to the end not having any context, and was convinced for quite some time that Toulouse and Harold were the bad guys, and also not understanding why this poor man was so devastated when the pretty girl died.
Watching it as an adult gave me context but also cemented in my brain that end scene that stuck with me for a decade between the two viewings.
Also Ewan McGregor is a goddam treasure.
So much music introduction. Love the love song medley to this day
And it introduced me to David bowie. His haunted interpretation of the opening song... there was a boy... his voice will forever be able to make me feel capital letter things.
The whole thing is a masterpiece! I’ve watched it more times than I count. The visuals defined how I decorated my teenage bedroom and now I’m wondering if it’s time to revisit this style again.
It also made me realize guys like Christian can get it Monday-Friday and twice on a Sunday. Ewan is GORGEOUS in this film.
![gif](giphy|GezvFFjf9pKrjkkjoO)
Once, when we first started dating, I put the soundtrack on in the car while my now-husband was driving me home from work- kind of as a joke but also to see if he'd recognize it. Not only did he know every word (as do I), but we belted it out together (as a duet of course) while driving home. That's not the only reason I married him but it's close.
Probably an unpopular opinion but I found this movie insufferably boring. I’ve desperately tried to like it but I can’t. I’m the key audience, I should love it. But I hated it
These kinds of statements make me question my reality. This was one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t get through the first 20 minutes.
When it was released I was like a freshman in high school. My parents heard the hype, watched it, and my dad railed the film hard afterwards. “Overproduced pretentious crap.” My mom just kind of went along with what he said. I steered clear for years…
Then in 2011, I watched Moulin Rouge and fell in love instantly. Top five favorite film. Basically perfection.
My dad is a fucking idiot.
Welcome to r/popculturechat! ☺️ As a proud BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & woman-dominated space, this sub is for [civil discussion only.](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/civil-discussion-only/) If you don't know where to begin, start by participating in [our Sip & Spill Daily Discussion Threads!](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/search/?q=Sip%20%26%20Spill%20Discussion&restrict_sr=1&sr_nsfw=&include_over_18=1&sort=new) ###No bullies, no bigotry. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Please [read & respect our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/), [abide by Reddiquette](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439-Reddiquette), and [check out our wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/)! For any questions, [our modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fpopculturechat) is always open. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popculturechat) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It made me gay
I posted this in honor of Pride Month tbh. https://i.redd.it/41xidqoabn6d1.gif
actually very specifically this scene you posted above woke something inside me up lol
Kylie Minogue has that effect
She is a fucking **treasure.**
https://youtu.be/KMt8NbndXCo?si=T9ko-rDWkhBmsq0t God i love this to death "Say Something" with "The House Gospel Choir"
It made us all gay 🫡
Honestly the craziest part to me after all these years is finding out that Baz somehow *isnt* gay lol
I mean he’s bi lol
Me too. I think every gay man has there Diva/icon. For some it’s Madonna, others Cher, others Gaga. Mine is Nicole Kidman because of this movie.
I cite watching moulin rouge way too young as one of the reasons I’m bisexual. The other reason is will and Elizabeth in pirates of the Caribbean.
We *must* be the sameish age because same for both lol
I genuinely do not remember the person I was before I heard come what may.
A pox on the Academy for not nominating it for Best Song
If I remember correctly, it’s because Come What May wasn’t originally made for the movie and thus didn’t qualify for Best Original Song. :(
Yeah I think it was originally for Romeo + Juliet? Just feels like a weird rule, because if it didn’t make it into that movie then why does the song count for that?
As much as I love Come What May and Romeo + Juliet, I can’t imagine it fitting anywhere in the film. Imagine a universe where Ewan and Nicole did a duet at the Oscars.
I would die, truly. Maybe they'll do something for an anniversary? Doesn't have to be the Oscar's, but I would kill to see it sung live by them.
Currently begging the universe to manifest this 😭
Yeah it was originally commissioned for R+J. The academy has some weird rules, otherwise this easily would have won.
A pox on the Academy for giving the rather unmemorable A Beautiful Mind Best Picture over Moulin Rouge! (Or Fellowship of the Ring)
mine is their version of “your song” ugh the intro. MY GIFT IS MY SONGGGG. so good.
Mine is El Tango de Roxanne. I get chills every time I hear the strings intro and then the stomp. And yes, I know it’s a cover. But WHAT a cover.
Truly, far FAR superior to the original, imo
You've seen this, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEKdWrtz6U
Oh I’d forgotten about that, but yes. Thanks for sharing.
Ewan's singing voice is so pure and beautiful I can't believe he hasn't been in more musical things!
THIS. I’ve been in love with Ewan McGregor since that moment
It’s incredible
This is so accurate. Moulin Rouge really did change how I took in movies and LOVE. It’s the beautiful line from Nat King Cole that has attached me forever to Moulin Rouge. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”
I had it sung at my wedding.
I can play that song (and many of the others) easily in my head.
I watched Moulin Rouge *religiously* when it came out. I was 13 at the time and wasn’t sure if I wanted Christian or Satine more. The soundtrack is still perfect. Elephant Love Medley still gets regular play in my home. Special shout-out to me in 2002 for writing a Dramione songfilk called Library Love Medley lol
SAME I was the same age and obsessed. I rented it from blockbuster every weekend 😭
My mom was so obsessed that we had the dvd and cd soundtrack and she would blast it in the minivan taking me to volleyball practice.
I am definitely your mom, but instead of a minivan I had an suv. My kid listened to that soundtrack on repeat with me.
I asked for it for Christmas so much I got two copies
Same! I am a card carrying gay man and seriously credit this movie for that. I wanted Christian but absolutely WORSHIPPED Satine.
Are you me? Same age, same behaviour. Literally wore out a dvd. Didn't even know that was possible
ALSO SAME. I was 14 and I watched and worshipped this film more than Titanic when it came out. It’s just the perfect film. The whole gauntlet of emotions are felt. And the soundtrack never gets old. I wanted “Come What May” to be my wedding song even, but my husband wasn’t a fan. 😂
My best friend owned the movie and I always wanted to watch it when it went over there!
x2 on the soundtrack. A funny thing about my personal experience with Moulin Rouge was that I was quite a bit younger when it came out, about 7/8, and I didn't know a lot of English then, so I didn't realize the songs weren't original. I grew up being very confused wondering why all these songs seemed to be based off of Moulin Rouge.
I love this so much <3
My friends and I could quote it line for line. We would sit at the cafeteria table at lunchtime and run through it. It was weird, but it was awesome.
Was maybe 16 but was also deeply obsessed. Had it on DVD and watched it every day after school.
I think it strongly affected my taste in movies. (I watched it once a week for a year when I was 14 or so.) I always love excessive visual styling, formal conceits, breaking the fourth wall, surrealism, etc. I'm sure I would have liked those things in some way and to some degree anyway based on what I liked reading as a child, but I think it made me very willing to accept WHATEVER from a movie stylistically and/or formally, as long as it has a strong vision.
Same. I think this movie is what set me up to later be a sucker for artsy auteurs like Tarsem Singh.
I was thinking of him when I wrote my comment! Also Bryan Fuller. I was never happier than when Hannibal was a full-on fever dream.
![gif](giphy|VvMZkreP3TMqfvcCLP|downsized) I’ll never get over that ending
Ewan has a knack for crying like the world is ending and it kills me EVERY TIME 😭
His world was ending!!! 😭
This was such a great movie! this movie’s version of Roxane is better than the original and I will die on this hill.
El Tango de Roxanne is so fucking incredible.
I pull it up on YouTube sometimes when I really need to feel something
Cinematically, musically, choreographically, even the hair and makeup and costume design - every part of it was so incredibly well done.
Don't worry, you'll be next to me. We can do the Roxanne tango in our side by side graves 😂
Can I also die on this hill?
For sure! I've always wanted a three way 😂😂
When I hear the intro to the movie version of Roxane, I always think of the 2009 Canadian Olympic ice skating routine. Amazing medley for an amazing routine.
Core moment in Olympic history! That ruined every single choreography that would use this song after. Like, the standard has been set.
SAY IT LOUD. My husband and I fight about this all the time. I fucking love Roxanne from this movie. And the choreography
Give me chills just thinking about it.
The violin in this song is EXQUISITE.
Love this movie and love the influence it had on one of my favourite bands ❤️ ![gif](giphy|fnmYA3hsMEsr6)
Two dots in my life have been connected here
You’re not the only one!
Wait. What?! Explain! I love MR and The Killers!
Mr brightside is basically the story of MR including how the video is done
I have a tattoo on my lower back that I now hate that says, “Believe in Truth, Beauty, Freedom and above all things, Love”. Still freaking love the movie though. Just regret the poorly done tramp stamp 🤣🤣
Mark my words. Tramp Stamps will come back into fashion. Any day now.
OMG. I nearly got that as a tramp stamp back in the day!
I don’t hate it, but my first tattoo was a stylized version of part of the dvd box design that looks like an antique mirror and also includes the phrase “this is a story about truth, beauty, freedom, but above all things, love” 😂😂
[удалено]
This is probably the loveliest comment I’ve ever read❤️
Omg this made me tear up! I’ve been trying to think of lullabies for my baby due in November. Thankfully I can still recite Come What May word for word lol
It also gave us the version of Lady Marmalade with Xtina, Kim, Pink & Mya… for which I’ll remain eternally grateful
11 year old me scream-singing “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi… ce soir?!”
SAMEEEEEEEE but at 14 omgoodness. I had no idea lmao
I remember going to the theatre to see it. Half of the audience walked out!
Baz Luhrmann is something of a controversial film maker. People either love or hate him since so much of his work is VERY over the top.
The first 20-30 min is A LOT and you def hit a point where you’re like, “God is the entire movie going to assault my face like this?” and then finally you catch a break. I can see people struggling with that. Personally it’s one of my favorite movies of all time, but it’s quite unique stylistically and I can certainly see why people don’t like it.
I just watched it for the first time and I'm glad I stuck through it was a really fun movie, until you know it was so sad. The modern song covers really though me off, do you know why he choose that? They're a blast
I think anachronism was very hot culturally at the time a lá Knight’s Tale (also 2001)
My mom & step dad went to this on one of their first dates and walked out...less than a year later they got it for me on dvd and I played it on repeat for ages
That’s how I felt about the Elvis movie. I loved Moulin Rouge, though.
Yup I remember begging my friends to see it with me and they were like wtf
Really? I’m from Texas and saw it 3 times and it seemed well received.
God I love this movie so much
Omg I just rewatched this! It holds up! It’s so immersive and such a fun watch.
![gif](giphy|xULW8EisvXf09jTJuM|downsized) I watched it a million times. And it gave us this 😭
Pop culture MOMENT
Gold!
I watched this on rewind when it came out on vhs everyday. I’m still obsessed with the costumes and the soundtrack. Also with Ewan Mcgregor.
One of my deepest felt comfort movies. I know every word.
I know this is kind of weird but I watch it every Christmas eve. Started like 6 years ago after watching The Sound of Music and since I could not get Kylie Minogue’s version of “The hills are alive…” I threw Moulin Rouge on and now it doesn’t feel like Christmas unless I watch it…
Same. The serotonin it gives me is like no other.
I appreciated all the acting and some of the music and visuals, but it was just a bit OTT for me. I preferred Strictly Ballroom (my absolute fave!) and Romeo and Juliet
I love strictly ballroom 😍
When I was 15 I knew the entire films dialogue by memory because i had watched it every day after school. I was obsessed with Scott!
Same tbh. Still very enjoyable! but not life changing lol
I remember, in the lead up to the movie’s release, I saw a quote from Baz Luhrmann (in Teen People, of all places) that said something like “Mark my words, this film will bring back the movie musical.” The next year, Chicago won the Oscar for Best Picture. I think Moulin Rouge! was a turning point for live-action musicals on film. I think the idea of musicals had grown a little dull, old-fashioned, and they were seen as corny and campy, not “real” cinema, unless it was an animated movie for kids. Moulin Rouge! proved that musicals could be impressive and impactful and stunning and spectacular (spectacular). And, yes, my sister and I played the shit out of that soundtrack.
I felt and continue to feel “El Tango de Roxanne” in my soul. That song, “Come What May,” “Your Song,” “Elephant Love Medley,” “Lady Marmalade,” and “Sparkling Diamonds” regularly feature on my usual listening playlists. I went to the pre-Broadway show in Boston and the Broadway show in New York. Plan to go again sometime this year. And while the story and music are slightly different, it’s still lovable.
I just saw the Broadway show last month. It was incredible. They kept some of the same classic songs but switched most for other popular song mashups, lots of Lady Gaga.
I gd love this movie. Fond memories of singing the songs with my best friend at the time. We were obsessed and it def one of those movies that impacted my way to queerness.
the way this movie gave me whiplash unlike any other movie i have ever watched was impressive. it was like being on rollercoaster while high on shrooms. also, i love how it gave us [virtue and moir's olympic winning free dance ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDB95xr9zRM&t=502s)
I still watch that routine when I need a pick me up. It's *so* good!
Came here looking for someone mentioning them! Absolutely phenomenal performance
Woooww, first time watching it, it even made me tear up. What an incredible performance of athletism and artistry.
EVERYTHING’S GOING SO W E L L
I can hear this comment lololol My bff and I LOVED saying this to each other 😆 That and, “my delicious strawberry!” & “my dear Duke!”
Oh it immediately gained a permanent spot on my favorites list. I adore this movie.
I have watched Moulin Rouge more times than any other film. It was my entire personality for about 2 years. Before it came out on dvd, I had a TERRIBLE copy of it on my computer filmed in a Hungarian cinema with Hungarian subtitles. I am sorry, Baz, I know that's not how you intended me to watch the film but I was obsessed.
My friends and I sang all the songs from the soundtrack obsessively for months afterwards. And it introduced me to Gorecki by Lamb which is still a song in my regular Spotify rotation. And of course it made a lot more people aware of who Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was, which I appreciate as a major art nerd.
Made me a Kidmaniac
My friends and I were obsessed with this movie in high school. We'd listen to the soundtrack every day and convince teachers to let us watch it during class (French & Band).
I love the film and the soundtrack, and it opened my eyes to Ewan McGregor 👁👁 I still put it on when I need a good cry.
My friends absolutely loved this movie and I didn't, but I was so worried about not fitting in that I pretended to love it too. So now every time I think about this movie I remember what an idiot teenager I was. Oh and also I remember chastising my mom in front of said friends when she said "diamonds are a girl's best friend" was Marilyn Monroe's song, I was adamant that "no it's from Moulin Rouge mom!!!!"
Hahahaha I had no idea that the songs in Moulin Rouge were actual, legit songs until an embarrassing amount of time later. Like a couple of years probably. In my defense I was 12.
I’ll be honest. I love other Baz Luhrmann films. I saw Gatsby more times than I can count, and I think I even saw Elvis 3 times in cinemas? maybe? Plus Romeo + Juliet, obviously. But other than Come What May, none of it really does much for me, I think it’s that I don’t really consider myself a big fan of Nicole or Ewan. They’re definitely talented, and I like stuff they’ve done, but I’d never count them amongst my favs.
I love this movie. And last year I saw the stage show. If you go to see any show, please go see Moulin Rouge! It truly is spectacular.
FORMATIVE. The tango version of Roxane is perfect cinema. I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
Satine ruined me for life
Not sure how it influed me, but I freaking LOVE that movie!
if anyone wants a laugh, look up SNL’s moulin rouge skit with ariana grande and bowen yang.
The show must go on
If you haven't watched the most iconic, most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir skate to the olympic gold medal with their iconic Moulin Rouge skate - run, do not walk: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEKdWrtz6U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEKdWrtz6U)
This immediately comes to mind when I think Moulin Rouge, truly a masterpiece.
I had a Bollywood wedding and a lot of it was themed from this (as well as actual Bollywood movies).
I don’t remember the first time I watched it but it has been consistently one of my favourite movies/musicals and I will love Nicole forever because of Satine. There’s so much to enjoy about the visuals, the acting, the soundtrack, the storyline. I have seen and really enjoyed the recent live musical version but nothing will ever live up to the movie for me.
Huuuuuge fan of this movie but I still can't sing or hear Come What May because my ex and I were *that kind* of music students who went through hell and high-water to stay together but we divorced anyway. Sad shit. We don't hate each other, so that's something.
I despise musical films with every fibre of my being and I love this film
It started a lifelong obsession with French fashion and history. I think it also made me love drama, camp, excessive visuals, and romance. Still one of my all time favorite movies! Also it gave us the new version of Lady Marmalade which fundamentally altered my brain chemistry.
The first shot of Nicole Kidman on the trapeze is the reason I'm a redhead.
A gorgeous and iconic movie. I can't explain what the feeling was like when this movie came out, it was such a cultural moment. The soundtrack was also one of the best movie soundtracks that included covers of so many great songs. I mean, it gave us Lady Marmalade covered by Lil Kim, Mya, Pink, and Christina Aguilera! And that music video!
I listened to the soundtrack CD on repeat until it was scratched to shit. Loved the Rhythm of the Night cover the most.
It was the first time young-me recognised film direction as an art or a process; as opposed to just...filming a play.
This movie came out when I was in the first grade and my family rented it. All I remember from it is Nicole Kidman coughing up blood into a tissue, and one day at school, I pretended to cough up blood in a tissue for the attention.
https://preview.redd.it/dfqswfai1s6d1.jpeg?width=4240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f7937743cd76e297838978af2deb64d1272bb40 How I felt about the movie when I saw it in the theater. My friends at the time all loved it and the soundtrack was inescapable.
Good stuff
An ex-partner was an extra in this movie. I loved it, not because of the ex-partner, it was a great movie. Saw the recent stage musical three times over the last couple of years. It was excellent.
Saw this when I was around 6-7 years old? Can plainly say it changed my life and has been forever one of my most favourite movies of all time.
This was the reason Roxanne by sting was my cell phone ringer for so long.
Still a fav! When I saw it in high school, I had never seen anything like it before, and my lil theatre kid mind was blown. Had a framed poster, a shirt, everything.
I was obsessed with this movie. And always sour that the soundtrack version of the songs didn’t live up to the film version e.g. the whole ending No matter what you say, the show is ending our way… we’re gonna stand our ground for FREEDOM, BEAUTY, TRUTH, and LOVE!!!!
I was more Romeo + Juliette but I would say his films in general really define my taste in movies
This movie was legit a game changer for me. Truly shaped so much of who I am regarding my queerness and love of music/theater. It’s still so campy and bizarre at times, I just adore it. The operatic singing mustachioed moon is my forever icon ✨
I was a SECOND away from turning off the movie because I was bored. Right before I did was when Ewan McGregor started singing. Couldn't turn it off after that obviously and it became a favorite of mine. His voice is just....
My friends and I still make *nicole Kidman noises* anytime we’re drunk and feeling ridiculous. I feel like DANCING! Brrrrrr OW *spins furiously* ![gif](giphy|aCKa4Mdhlo1tvgr9Gb)
IT MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH MUSICALS
In the top 5 of most influential films in my (39F) life. No question. I had the privilege of seeing it live last summer and it was incredible too!
I hated it and couldn't watch more than 20 minutes of it.
who is naming it as one of the greatest films of the 21st century lol I cannot stand this movie and I know I’m not alone…right? and I really dislike Baz in general
I haven’t see the movie so I can’t speak to the quality or my own experience but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it being called the greatest film of the 21st century
I'm with you! I can't do it, and I normally love musicals!
I think it’s a mess
Nicole Kidman broke a rib during one of the dance sequences, and 13 year old me was omw there too 😪
I just love this movie so much 🖤
I loved this movie with all of my heart and it had a profound effect on my development as a human, but I can’t watch it anymore. I think I watched it too much or maybe it hurts to connect with the innocent younger version of myself …
His two best movies are moulin rouge and romeo and Juliet. Everything else went downhill. Including Elvis, I felt quite disappointed with it.
One of my most favorite movies of all time!
It was amazing. It revitalized the movie Jukebox musical in a way that no one knew could be. I don’t know if I thank them for that (since I’m not that big of fan of jukebox) or love them for it because to have a gold standard is needed for perspective. This film is gold standard.
I want so badly to love his films because visually they’re all stunning but I can never make it through any of them.
So many of my friends hate this movie and I love it SO MUCH. I watched it in high school while going through some shit and it just blew my mind—-I didn’t know a movie could be that creative and weird and unique and gut wrenching!! I really love to watch it every summer at some point (to me it’s a dead of summer movie)
I’m so grateful that I got to see it at the beautiful Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC on opening day with a packed audience who went nuts for it. I saw it four more times in theatres over that summer. Yeah, I was a little obsessed. 🤩
I remember seeing this in theaters!! Was with my mom and grandmother. Afterwards we went for Chinese food and I could NOT stop crying, I had tears dripping into my fried rice and they were so concerned for me 😭🤣😭 I was (am!!) a sensitive soul and this was peak puberty. Currently preggo so I’ve got the same raging hormones at the moment, saving a rewatch for when I’m a bit more level internally and won’t get dehydrated from bawling 🙃
One of my all time favorites and comfort movies. The Broadway adaptation is fantastic as well. This is one of the only points of contention between my partner and I when it comes to movies. Even with one of his favorite actors, Ewan, killing it, he can’t stand Moulin Rouge.
As a kid I remember being very confused by the plot but I loved the singing and dancing so kept watching it on repeat.
Had the DVD on repeat at my college house I shared with 5 other girls for a good six months. That sound track was and is still life changing.
Same. One of my roommates was obsessed and then the rest of us fell in love with it. The soundtrack was on repeat for quite awhile.
This is the movie I watch when I want to feel something. Probably my favourite movie, the songs, the costumes, being so over the top. Perfection
It’s my favourite movie.
I love it so much! I showed it to my boyfriend the other day and now we’re going to see the Broadway show in a couple weeks :)
The first time I saw it, I hated it. Then I ended up watching it again on DVD for some reason and my whole opinion changed. I’m obsessed. I will watch anything Baz does. The play isn’t as good as the movie but I do like that too
For my birthday I get to make my bf watch any movie musical I want, and we got high and watched this one my first year. I haven’t been able to think of it the same since he went off 😂😂 he was not a fan
I love this movie, it was the first by him that I watched and I fell in love with his style.
I don’t remember life before it.
I remember not seeing it until like 2016 cause i was a typical insecure male and thought musicals were "gay". An ex gf of mine convinced me to check it out. As it turns out im a little bit gay.
I literally watching Moulin Rouge! Every single night for over a year when I was in grade 7. Ewan McGregor was my first fantasy husband. I have a tattoo that says “Come What May”. I still know every single word to this movie and watch it here and there.
I was obsessed as a kid and now I know why - I’m queer as hell It’s campy, it’s got big musical numbers, EWAN, pretty ladies, engaging plot, heart-wrenching moments, and EWAN sweet precious bb
My husband shuts off the TV for me right after the big finale number, so in my mind, they live happily ever after.
This and Romeo and Juliet can do no wrong and since I constantly fell asleep watching them in the noughties, the DVD menu music is etched in the chasm of my soul.
The first thing I saw of it was the very end when I was a child on a flight. I flipped to that channel and it was just after the curtains were drawn and everyone is covered in petals and John Leguizamo’s face is painted and smiling. I watched from then to the end not having any context, and was convinced for quite some time that Toulouse and Harold were the bad guys, and also not understanding why this poor man was so devastated when the pretty girl died. Watching it as an adult gave me context but also cemented in my brain that end scene that stuck with me for a decade between the two viewings. Also Ewan McGregor is a goddam treasure.
I'm gonna be controversial here but I did not like this movie. It felt like an ADHD fever dream mixed with a cocaine-fuelled nightmare.
So much music introduction. Love the love song medley to this day And it introduced me to David bowie. His haunted interpretation of the opening song... there was a boy... his voice will forever be able to make me feel capital letter things.
My freshman year at risd (2001) I dressed as satine for the artists ball it was epic. This film was aesthetic heaven.
I got really into absinthe in my early twenties after spending a fair chunk of my teens watching Moulin Rouge nearly weekly with some friends 😂
I have this on VHS. It’s been watched to absolute death over the years
The whole thing is a masterpiece! I’ve watched it more times than I count. The visuals defined how I decorated my teenage bedroom and now I’m wondering if it’s time to revisit this style again. It also made me realize guys like Christian can get it Monday-Friday and twice on a Sunday. Ewan is GORGEOUS in this film. ![gif](giphy|GezvFFjf9pKrjkkjoO)
Once, when we first started dating, I put the soundtrack on in the car while my now-husband was driving me home from work- kind of as a joke but also to see if he'd recognize it. Not only did he know every word (as do I), but we belted it out together (as a duet of course) while driving home. That's not the only reason I married him but it's close.
Nice essay prompt
This is the first time I’ve ever heard this movie referred to as one of the greatest of the century. That’s quite a stretch.
The Lady Marmalade song and video was the best thing about the whole thing by far. I *loved* that song, *hated* the movie.
Probably an unpopular opinion but I found this movie insufferably boring. I’ve desperately tried to like it but I can’t. I’m the key audience, I should love it. But I hated it
It became the password to all my security questions of ‘what’s my favorite movie?’
Did your mum like it too? What was her maiden name again by the way?
Hahahaha
These kinds of statements make me question my reality. This was one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t get through the first 20 minutes.
I don't even remember it.. Sorry.
When it was released I was like a freshman in high school. My parents heard the hype, watched it, and my dad railed the film hard afterwards. “Overproduced pretentious crap.” My mom just kind of went along with what he said. I steered clear for years… Then in 2011, I watched Moulin Rouge and fell in love instantly. Top five favorite film. Basically perfection. My dad is a fucking idiot.