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All
You Need Is Love
An all-singing, all-dancing
musical romance.
By Lois
Wadsworth
MOULIN ROUGE: Directed by Baz
Luhrmann. Written by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Produced by Martin Brown, Luhrmann
and Fred Baron. Cinematography, Donald M. McAlpine. Production design, Catherine
Martin. Editor, Jill Bilcock. Costumes, Catherine Martin, Angus Strathe. Choreography,
John O'Connell. Original score, Craig Armstrong. Music, Marius DeVries. Starring
Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh.
With David Wenham, Garry McDonald, Kerry Walker, Jacek Koman, Caroline O'Connor,
Matthew Whittet, Lara Mulcahy and Deobia Oparei. 20th Century Fox, 2001. PG-13. 126
minutes.
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Satine (Nicole
Kidman) and Christian (Ewan McGregor) sing and romance their way into your heart.
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The show's the thing! Don't lose sight of this aphorism about theatrical
performances at the Moulin Rouge. The demimonde lovelies, bohemian artists and writers
all want to perform their work on its stage during "the summer of love,"
1899. Listen to impresario Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent). He runs the bar, the girls
and the customers. With one eye on the bottom line and the other on his can-can girls,
Zidler knows what the Moulin Rouge is all about all singing, all dancing, all the
time. Like other patrons, I am grateful.
Zidler is Baz Luhrmann's stand-in. Ignore critics who say Moulin
Rouge's effusive, over-the-top director, co-producer and co-writer goes too far,
that there's too much razzle-dazzle, too much flamboyant, exuberant performing going
on for the show to develop its characters or display its heart. Nonsense. Like
Shakespeare in Love, this backstage love story is all heart.
Thirty minutes into the story, a desperate Christian (Ewan McGregor)
breaks into song, looking deeply into the soulful eyes of Satine (Nicole Kidman),
the Moulin Rouge's most talented and beauteous courtesan. I believe in love. Later,
the lovers sing snippets from a medley of late 20th century popular love songs to
each other. The songs range from the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love," Phil
Collins' "One More Night," U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love),"
Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs" and Dolly Parton's "I Will Always
Love You" to Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Your Song," and they
never sounded better. Now I am hooked.
Hollywood musicals stink because the singers can't act and vice
versa. But, McGregor and Kidman project love from vibrant singing voices as well
as through facial expression and body language. Old musicals' songs didn't fit the
characters who sang them, but here the songs say just what the character feels. The
metered rhythm of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" "The greatest thing
you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" is captured perfectly
by Christian and later by Satine as they sing it to each other.
Moulin Rouge invests in a cinematic rhythm of dizzying camera
angles, edits that leave no recovery time between scenes, and a palette of saturated
reds that inflame desire, jealousy and love's darker urges. The production is obsessed
with the accouterments of romance: glittery gowns for Satine, a Maharajah's gold
turban for Zidler, a boudoir decked out in the luscious fabrics, personal comforts
and gilt trappings of the fin de siècle. The lovers serenade on an
open pavilion that resembles an ornate howdah atop a great Indian elephant. Tango
dancers strut and storm in a dance hall. This is opulent, dream-enhancing, poetic
make-believe reminiscent of the great cinema of Carlos Saura, and there can never
be too much of it in our literal, hustle-bustle, workaday world.
Luhrmann draws from a wide variety of theatrical forms to create
this purely fantastic Moulin Rogue. He invokes the spirit of the posters of artist
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (played here as a bohemian little person by the talented John
Leguizamo), borrows from the British music hall, steals from his own Romeo and
Juliet and liberally swipes from MTV. The story's antecedents include themes
from operas such as La Bohème and Camille as well as Tom Stoppard's
great screenplay for Shakespeare in Love its between-the-sheets rehearsal
of writer and star; a madman producer who courts unseemly investors; minor players
with large egos; and lovers star-crossed by class and circumstance.
Luhrmann's amalgam of this and that picked from popular culture
comes together in an altogether unique artistic expression. I understood when the
curtain finally opens on Spectacular Spectacular, the play-within-the-play
(a device playwrights from Shakespeare on have used), that this is the moment
anticipated by all that precedes it. An outrageous extravaganza literally staged
on multiple levels, it's a truly breathtaking, epic image. Even after two viewings,
I cannot get enough of this film. The show's the thing!
Moulin Rouge is now playing at Cinema World and Cinemark.
Highest recommendations.
Growing
Pains
Two boys' summer awakening.
By Lois
Wadsworth
Nico and Dani (Spain): Directed and
co-written by Cesc Gay. Produced by Marta Esteban and Gerardo Herrero. Co-written
by Tomás Aragay, based on the play Krámpack by Jordi Sánchez.
Cinematography, Andreu Rebês. Music by Riqui Sabatés, Joan Diaz, Jordi
Pratz. Editor, Frank Gutiérrez. Stars Fernando Ramallo and Jordi Vilches,
with Marieta Orozco, Esther Nubiola, Chisco Amado, Ana Graci and Myriam Mézières.
Distributed by Avatar Films, 2001. Not rated. 90 minutes.
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Dani (Fernando
Ramallo) and Nico (Jordi Vilches) are school chums spending summer vacation together.
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Two boys on the cusp between childhood and adulthood spend a short
vacation together sorting out their relationship. Dani (Fernando Ramallo) and Nico
(Jordi Vilches) have been friends since grammar school, but now at nearly 17, their
interests are diverging. Dani's parents have gone on holiday, so the boys mostly
have the summer house on the Mediterranean to themselves. Dani has plans for them
to go cycling and hunting together, but as soon as Nico arrives on the train, he
sets a different agenda.
The boys meet up with Berta (Esther Nubiola) and Elena (Marieta
Orozco) in town and hang out with them at a club, the beach and at parties. Nico
and Elena hit it off, and Nico tells Dani he wants to have
sex with her. The boys have a history of mutual masturbation, and Dani wants to take
their sexual relationship further, but Nico is not interested. Like fumbling adolescents
everywhere, they have little concrete idea how to do what they think they want to
do and still look cool. The whole movie is about those delicate moments when sex
becomes the most interesting thing in a relationship, whether boy-boy or boy-girl
(or girl-girl, although that is only marginally referred to), and how friends survive
the onslaught of a maturing sexual difference between them.
It's not just Nico and Dani who want to have sex by any means.
Both Elena and Berta are clearly into exploring their sexuality as well. But it is
fair to say that the film is more about Dani's growing awareness that he likes boys
than it is about Nico or the girls' heterosexual experiences. The film has been widely
praised for its frankness and also for its tenderness. The filmmakers' delicacy is
appreciated in the scene where Dani tentatively explores having sex with Julián
(Chisco Amado), who's a non-predatory older writer and a friend of the boy's father.
Sonia (Ana Gracia) tutors Dani, and Marianne (Myriam Mézières)
takes care of the house and cooks for the boy. Family friends hired to come in during
the day, the women are benign adult presences who are tolerant and caring. They know
what's going on between the boys. For me, that was the moment I knew for sure I was
inside a European sensibility. That's too much tolerance for a mainstream American-made
movie. The fairly explicit sex scenes between the boys are probably the reason the
film's unrated.
Nico and Dani reminds me of last year's neglected Chuck
and Buck, Miguel Arteta's courageous independent American film about the problems
created for two adult men who were sexually involved as adolescents. One has adjusted
to the loss of their friendship, while the other cannot. Cesc Gay does not take quite
the same risks as Arteta. Life is actually a lot messier than the upbeat ending of
Nico and Dani suggests, I think. The picture opens Friday, June 15 at the
Bijou.
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Disney animated tale directed
by Beauty and Beast team, Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale. A museum cartographer
named Milo finds a map to Atlantis and heads an expedition to the lost land. Voices
include Michael J. Fox, James Garner and Leonard Nimoy. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Freddy Got Fingered: Tom Green directs and stars in this
comedy, with Rip Torn and Julia Hagerty. R. Movies 12.
Joe Dirt, The Adventures of: Comedy directed by Dennie Gordon
stars David Spader as a dunce who goes on a quest to find the parents who dumped
him at the Grand Canyon when he was 8 years old. PG-13. Cinemark.
Kingdom Come: The Slocumb family gets together to bury one
of their own on a hot summer day when anything can happen. Director, Doug McHenry.
Stars LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Loretta Devine, Anthony Anderson,
Toni Braxton, Cedric The Entertainer, Darius McCrary and Whoopi Goldberg. PG. Movies
12.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie plays the video
game action heroine, and Simon West directs. Also stars Jon Voight and Iain Glen.
PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Nico and Dani: Spanish coming-of-age tale about two boys,
chums since grade school, who are now getting grown-up sexual urges. One likes girls,
and the other likes boys. Can they still be friends? Fairly explicit sex scenes.
Unrated. Bijou. See review.
CONTINUING
Animal: Wimp Marvin (Rob Schneider) becomes a super
cop after surgery following an accident leaves him with animal organs. Now, his instincts
are taking over, and it isn't a nice picture. Luke Greenfield makes his directorial
debut; also stars Coleen Haskell. PG-13. Cinemark.
Blow: Ted Demme directs Johnny Depp as George Jung, now
in prison, but in the 1970s the first American to import cocaine from Carlos Escobar's
Colombian cartel to the U.S. Based on book by Bruce Porter, movie also stars Penelope
Cruz, Ray Liotta, Rachel Griffiths and Paul Reubens. R. Movies 12.
Bridget Jones' Diary: Renée Zellwegger plays the
neurotic but witty Londoner on the prowl for a man. Hugh Grant's her boss, and Colin
Firth is an old friend. All three give excellent performances, especially Zellwegger.
Sharon Maguire's directorial debut. Script by Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard
Curtis. Funnier on second viewing, this smart, good-hearted romp is highly recommended.
R. Cinema World. See
review.
Cast Away: Tom Hanks learns to survive when his plane crashes
and he washes up on a remote tropical island. Helen Hunt is the girlfriend he left
behind. Intimate direction by Robert Zemeckis, a lean script by William Broyles Jr.,
and an edgy performance by Hanks. Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. See review.
Dish, The: Australian technicians manning the Southern Hemisphere's
largest radio telescope save the day on June 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong walks
on the moon. Stars Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long and Patrick Warburton. Highly
rated docudrama is highly recommended. PG-13. Bijou. See review.
Double Take: It's Trading Places for the new century
as NY investment banker (Orlando Jones) switches identities with a petty thief (Eddie
Griffin). George Gallow directs. PG-13. Movies 12.
Enemy at the Gates: During the siege of Stalingrad during
WWII, a Soviet sniper (Jude Law) is pursued by a Nazi assassin (Ed Harris). Also
stars Joe Fiennes, Bob Hoskins and Rachel Weisz. Flawed, but well worth seeing for
Harris' performance. R. Movies 12.
Evolution: David Duchovny and Julianne Moore star in an
Ivan Reitman summer movie about pterodactyls and meteors. PG-13. Cinema World.
Hannibal: Ridley Scott chronicles Hannibal Lector's inevitable
return in this gruesome sequel starring Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins. Script
by David Mamet, Steven Zaillian. Bloodsoaked, creepy movie earns its rating. R. Movies
12. See review.
Knight's Tale, A: Aimed at 12-year-olds, this medieval adventure
fantasy stars Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell. Directed by
Brian Helgeland, co-writer of L.A. Confidential. PG-13. Cinemark 17.
Memento: Written, directed by Christopher Nolan, based on
his brother Jonathan's story. Stars Guy Pearce as a man whose memory loss following
a crime in which his wife was raped and killed propels him toward vengeance. With
Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano. Question the film's skewed reality at every opportunity.
R. Bijou. See review.
Mexican, The: Comic road movie stars Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts
and James Gandolfini in a mobbed-up escapade south of the border. Has its moment,
but murder isn't really all that funny. R. Movies 12. See review.
Moulin Rouge: Director Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom,
Romeo and Juliet) sets this fabulous dramatic musical extravaganza in the
infamous Paris night in 1900. Stars Nicole Kidman as Satine and Ewan McGregor as
Christian, who are a great romantic pair. Very highly recommended. PG-13. Cinema
World. Cinemark. See review.
Mummy Returns, The: Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz
star in this thriller directed by Stephen Sommers. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
One Night at McCool's: Crime/sex comedy stars Matt Dillon,
Paul Reiser, John Goodman and Liv Tyler playing one-note characters. She's trouble.
Directed by Harald Zwart. R. Movies 12.
Pearl Harbor: Director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer's
$135 million WWII epic stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale, with
Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Voight, Dan Aykroyd and Alec Baldwin. Lots of vintage battleships
and aircraft get blown up, and spectacle wins out over tepid, stereotypical romance.
Tediously unoriginal, mercenary manipulation marks this turkey. Cinemark 17. Cinema
World. See
review .
Recess: School's Out: Animated Disney film's about a plot
to create permanent winter, thus doing away with summer vacation! G. Movies 12.
Save the Last Dance for Me: Talented white girl from small
town (Julia Stiles) enrolls in an inner city high school in New York where she falls
for a popularAfrican American boy (Sean Patrick Thomas) who also loves to dance.
PG-13. Movies 12.
Shrek: Computer-animated fairy tale (by DreamWorks' Pacific
Data Images, makers of Antz) stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
and John Lithgow. Entertaining and funny for kids and grown-ups. PG. Cinema World.
Cinemark. See
review.
Swordfish: John Travolta plays a C.I.A. spook who persuades
a sexy colleague (Halle Berry) and a hacker (Hugh Jackman) to help him steal $9 billion.
AP reviewer says after the first 10 minutes, this fish begins to smell. Directed
by Dominic Sena (Gone in 60 Seconds). R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Tomcats: Gregory Poirier's raunchy sex comedy stars Jerry
O'Connell, Jake Busey, Horatio Sanz and Shannon Elizabeth. The last bachelor standing
gets the pot. It's a guy thing. R. Movies 12.
Traffic: Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed film stars Michael
Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Erica Christensen.
Academy Awards for Soderbergh's direction, Del Toro's acting, Gaghan's screenplay
and Mirrione's film editing. Best film of 2000. R. Movies 12. See review.
What's the Worst That Could Happen: Thief Martin Lawrence
and businessman Danny DeVito star in this Sam Weisman comedy about a ring DeVito
steals off of Lawrence's hand as he's taken off to jail. Revenge ensues, with comic
results. With John Leguizamo, Glenne Headley, William Fichtner and Bernie Mac. PG-13.
Cinemark.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
NEW RELEASES
ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of
EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Pledge, The: Sean Penn directs Jack Nicholson and Robin Wright
Penn in this detective thriller. Nicholson's a nearly-retired cop who becomes obsessed
with finding the murderer of an 8-year old girl, perhaps several young girls. Truly
frightening. R. See
review.
Proof of Life: Agent Russell Crowe works to recover a hostage (David Morse)
kidnapped and held for ransom by South American guerrilla forces opposed to American
company's expansion plans. The victim's wife (Meg Ryan) likes the agent a lot. Directed
by Taylor Hackford, flick's not nearly as bad as some critics said, thanks to Crowe's
performance. R.
Save the Last Dance for Me: Talented white girl from small
town (Julia Stiles) enrolls in an inner city high school in New York where she falls
for a popularAfrican American boy (Sean Patrick Thomas) who also loves to dance.
PG-13.
State and Main: David Mamet comedy set in a New England
town taken over by a film production crew and stars. Not so much culture clash as
equal opportunity meltdown. Terrific ensemble cast includes William H. Macy, Philip
Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin and Sarah Jessica Parker. R. Very highly recommended.
See review.
Next week: Dude, Where's My Car?, Unbreakable and
You Can Count on Me.
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