Glad to die for love- Moulin Rouge! film analysis:

This article on Moulin Rouge will be an analysis of the film and not the stage show as there are some differences between the two. Moulin Rouge is a much loved film musical around the world for it's innocent infatuation with love and underdog of a main character who achieves both his dreams and a heart breaking ending, it sounds like the ideal musical and movie. In this article I will do a little deep dive analysis of the characters and what they represent and present potential reasons why audiences hearts have been captured by this charming tale.

The first thing that I really want to discuss is the difference between Moulin Rouge and a typical jukebox musical. For anyone who isn't aware a jukebox musical as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is a musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or a musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or genre. Moulin Rouge is classed as a jukebox musical as every song in it's repertoire is a mashup of famous pop songs over many decades. The only original song in the soundtrack is 'Come what may.' A romantic and in some places cringey song where our main character Christian is expressing his love to Satine and is one of the most memorable songs from the show. In many ways is representative of lots of the film and it's themes. What separates Moulin Rouge from other jukebox musicals is that they are typically written for fans of the original music as a fun addition rather than a stand alone story. Often the story surrounding the songs can come across forced as they songs came first and have been situated in a story rather than the other way round where everything is necessary to the show and it's characters. This show is the 1st with songs that were chosen specifically for this and mashups that were crafted for the story rather than written around to make out a story. Making it more suited to a musical theatre audience rather than for the original fans of the music.

Delving into some character representations. I believe that Christian represents the reflection of the classist systems and preconceived ideas. Specifically using his dreams tied to the Bohemian revolution of 19th century France. He tethers his desires and expectations to this revolution but really he just wants love and truth to prevail. Often the obstacles and opinions he faces are also related to this and how both love and truth also interfere with money. The Duke represents money and the power it comes with, as well as ultimately the influence it comes with. Finally Zidler represents the common and realistic person who is doing nothing but trying to get by. As well as opening and closing with the conductor showing that their lives are ultimately controlled by circumstance.

Satine dies from just trying as a result of trying to live a life without restraints. She enforces the idea that this tragedy of a show that has love and freedom at it's core, almost acting as a cautionary tale for holding back love in place of realism. It may be heavily dramatized but I think the emotion of it rings true because of Moulin Rouge's genuine morals, this is the reason why it has touched the hearts of many and become so beloved.

Moulin Rouge has ultimately blended the pop music and musical theatre audience. As well as blurring the lines between performance and life as many were forced to do as Zidler says. For example when he says to Satine 'your a great actress' but really he is not only referring to her work and stage but her false persona she is forced to use as the only way to survive is money and happiness don't necessarily go hand in hand. This is why I argue that Moulin Rouge is more than just a normal jukebox and why it is so well loved as it is deeper than could be initially perceived.

image- credit to the Moulin Rouge! film (2001) Christian played by Ewan McGregor and Satine by Nicole Kidman