Moulin Rouge is the type of film you root for. It performs without a net, making you watch fearfully, hoping that it won't crash to the ground while you are delighting in the risk. It's rare to see a film so free of cynical calculation released so widely. Credit for that must go to the director, Baz Luhrmann, the creative force behind Strictly Ballroom, and Leonardo Di Caprio's pre-Titanic Romeo + Juliet.

Luhrmann has never worried about confusing his audience with a fast pace or an odd concept. He knows that they'll want to catch up, if only to see where he's headed. Moulin Rouge is his riskiest work so far. Ornate musicals are certainly rare this day and age, but Rouge adds a great twist - the lyrics to the songs are from modern pop hits. That, along with visually terrific costumes, sets and art direction, makes the film a must-see.

The story is a variation of the Orpheus myth, set in 1899 Paris during the Bohemian "revolution". Ewan McGregor plays Christian, an English poet who realizes he must experience love before he can write about it, and travels to Paris for his education. He quickly makes the acquaintance of Toulouse Lautrec, (John Leguizamo) who heads a group of eccentric artists bent on writing and producing a play for the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge, Satine.

Satine (Nicole Kidman) is considered the "sparkling diamond" of the famed nightclub, but her dream is to be known as a real actress. To reach this goal, she is willing to sell herself to the Duke of Worcester (Richard Roxburgh) in return for his funding the transformation of Moulin Rouge from a nightclub/brothel to a legitimate theater. Instead of seducing the Duke after her stage performance, Satine mistakenly targets Christian, who wins her heart with a song.

Their romance is doomed from the beginning, and unfortunately this brings Moulin Rouge down as well. Once the subject matter turns dark, the film loses its vivacity and momentum. Too much time is spent on the Duke, who is not just evil, but tedious. He is too silly to be threatening, and too dangerous to be taken lightly.

Moulin Rouge's leads do an admirable job. Ewan McGregor's voice is surprisingly strong, and his earnest performance might win back some fans who lost faith in him for donning Obi Wan's robe. Nicole Kidman comes off more beautiful than vocally talented, but she deserves points just for the effort. The supporting cast of characters has less to do, but they do seem to have more fun doing it, particularly John Leguizamo, reveling in Toulouse Lautrec's odd mannerisms.

Some people will leave theaters disappointed in Moulin Rouge for its relatively weak plot and its bleak ending, but no one will be able to fault it for being safe. It's a cinematic experience not easily forgotten, and everyone involved with Moulin Rouge deserves credit for trying to make a film that breaks the rules. The Moulin Rouge of the film's opening has so much energy and enthusiasm you wish you could visit it outside the theater, and that alone is worth a ticket.

- Photo copyright: 20th Century Fox