Movies and movie criticism can be terrible, cynical and soul-crushing. So why do we go to the movies? Random Moment of Cinematic Joy highlights a moment, scene, character or film that is awesome in a way that can refill your reservoir of faith in films.
Okay, I admit it. I am a romantic at heart. I tend to favor genre films, but I think at some level that's because comedy and romance are so much harder to get right.
Moulin Rouge gets it right. And that's despite the higher degree of difficulty in making a musical.
The set up is simple. Boy meets girl. Boy belts out an Elton John standard. Boy and girl fall madly in love.
The camera and Nicole Kidman's eyes sell the transition. You believe that she falls head over heels for Ewan McGregor. You can understand how they would literally be dancing on air by the end of the song.
Moulin Rouge is the perfect melding of old style movie musical and modern film technique. When I think about happiness in movies, it doesn't get better than Ewan singing the last chorus of "Your Song".
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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