Moviecut—Moulin Rouge

source: Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge

A rather lavish film and the first part is really very good with the dances and the actors decent. Although apparently the Moulin Rouge scenes were shot elsewhere and the people filmed in the studio at Elstree. Nevertheless this is very well done and it is just a shame that much of the second half is rather long and very melodramatic. The very last car chase is done well but there is about an hour of the love triangle that is difficult these days.

It is many years since I had watched my video of this film so I played it this afternoon.Directed by DuPont in his British period.He is most known here for the ludicrous pauses in the dialogue of Atlantic.I would certainly agree with one of the reviewers who commented on the totally daft plot.After all why would a mother want a daughter to marry a man who was lusting after her.So far as the cinematography is concerned,this brings into focus the strange face makeup of the actors.Their upper eyelids are darkened and their eyebrows marked in very boldly.Is this part of the expressionist style or is it because of problems with the film stock used ?

Moulin Rouge is a British film made by German director Ewald André Dupont. At its best, it displays the talent of Russian born silent movie star Olga Tschechowa who plays Parysia. She is the sultry star of the Moulin Rouge in Paris performing her alluring dances. At its worse it is an absurd melodrama as Parysia meets her daughter Margaret, after several years at finishing school where she is introduced to her fiance, Andre. After Parysia persuades Andre's father to consent to the marriage, she finds that her prospective son in law has become spellbound towards her after seeing her perform in the Moulin Rouge. Emotions become highly charged when Margaret gets severely injured in an automobile accident. Moulin Rouge has little to do with the famous Parisian theatre. It is a drama of its time, when moving pictures were still in its infancy.

"Moulin Rouge" is the sort of film you simply must accept for what it is--a modestly entertaining but silly film. It has the sort of plot that seems rather old fashioned and filled with holes. When the film begins, a famous stage actress from the famed Moulin Rouge is thrilled to have a visit from her daughter. It seems the young lady is planning on getting married and the mother is happy for the couple. However, later when the mother is alone with the girl's fiancé, he suddenly declares his love for the mother! Weird, I know...and where all this goes is a bit far-fetched. It is exciting but kind of silly. This film brings up lots of problems: why didn't the mother tell her daughter that the boyfriend was a creepy guy and why did the nightclub look NOTHING like anything from the Moulin Rouge (after all, everyone here had lots of clothes)? And, for that matter, why a black-face number?! It all is kind of silly (and a tad offensive) but did have really nice camera-work.