Moulin Rouge was released in 2001. The target audience for this film would have had to have been people above the age of 15, as that is the age certificate. It could also be people who are fans of the actors in it or enjoy less modern musicals, as it is set in 1899. The use of language, in my opinion is quite posh I think this is because of when it was set, this is shown through the way they address one another, especially a man to a woman. The visual style begins quite dark but as the story progresses so does the colour and it becomes very eccentric, this is to show its ‘bohemian’ side. The costumes represent this mostly.
The structure of this film is Non-linear Narrative, as it jumps back and forward in time to present and past. I think this suits the film really well as it makes it more interesting for the audience, and its different to other musicals. It makes it seem a lot more like a story, especially with the voice over of one of the main characters Christian, as it is him telling his story. The exposition of the film is where he meets Toulouse and the rest of his friends, they decide that he is going to audition for writing a play at the Moulin Rouge. This is where he meets Satine and the Duke, who wishes to invest in the cabaret, and through an improvised audition, the Duke finances the show, not realizing that he is not the only one in love with Satine. As Christian and Satine spend more and more time together, they fall in love, this is something the Duke is not happy with. This has now turned into the climax, as the Duke does not want them to spend any time together, Christian and Satine must sneak around, until Satine decides she wishes to end the affair, however Christian convinces her not to. As the Duke realises that the play is a metaphor for the ‘love triangle’ he says if Satine is not his, he will kill Christian. The resolution to this drama, is on the opening night of the play, Christian turns up and Satine sings their ‘secret song’ letting him know she still loves him. As he gets on stage, after all the suffering Satine had had with her illness, she succumbs and dies in christians arms.
The scene that I am focusing on from this film is when Satine and Christian sing to one another and confess their love for each other. This is scene is very romantic, the overall atmosphere is just pure love. The scene begins at nighttime, and Satine, who’s room is basically at the top of an elephant, is on the staircase up to the top, and Christian is in his apartment looking out the window t her. The colours are still eccentric and bright, the lights seem to grow as the song gets more passionate. The scenery is mesmerizing as it shows most of the city, and the setting shows the time set well as it is more exuberant than modern day. The camera angles used show the scenery but also the actors emotions, this allows the audience to connect with them more. Throughout this scene, they ‘play’ on famous songs, that the audience is expected to know, this makes it enjoyable to watch as it is a different approach as its a montage of different songs mixed in about love. Towards the end of the scene, the setting becomes more romantic as the window of Satine’s room is a heart, they stand in front of it and this shows them in love with a heart around it. This is when the editing techniques come in as the camera moves around them in a circular motion, their surrounds sparkle and fade away, which make it look even more romantic. This scene overall is eccentric, the costumes are bright and over the top, the editing techniques are almost what we think should happen in our imagination, its quite dream like, but as well as eccentric, it is very romantic and happy. All of this will entertain the audience and keep them interested in watching the film.
The main theme shown throughout this film is relationships, and the many emotions they bring. Love, anger, jealously, sadness, happiness and so on. This reflects the time that it was made as love was forbidden for courtesans, as their job was to go between men and make them happy, not for just one man, as this brings complications shown in this film, however it makes it more exciting for the audience to watch, as it is something different.
Good analysis has been completed with appropriate terminology but codes and conventions of musical could have been highlighted.
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