Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

Baz Luhrmann: 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 It’s The Great Gatsby)

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Both Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby are cinematic masterpieces. But which of Baz Luhrmann’s movies would fans say is his best work?

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Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

With a directing career spanning almost thirty years, Baz Luhrmann is one of the most talented filmmakers in Hollywood. Receiving critical acclaim for movies like Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Great Gatsby (2013), many fans love to rewatch his work simply because they can’t get enough of all the beautiful costumes, talented cast members, and aesthetically pleasing set designs.

In fact, Luhrmann’s work on Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby was so impressive that some fans are even struggling to pick an overall favorite. However, if audiences take a closer look at the arguments put out there, they might be able to decide which movie is the greatest once and for all.

9 Moulin Rouge! Is Better: Craig Armstrong’s Score Helps Create The Tragic Atmosphere

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

Although Craig Armstrong scored both movies, it was his work on the Moulin Rouge! that received a lot more attention with cinephiles. Winning both a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his pieces, audiences have shed tears over the hauntingly beautiful music that overlays several scenes.

From the moment Satine (Nicole Kidman) and Christian’s (Ewan McGregor) romance is exposed to the discovery that Satine is dying, the slow sounds that come from the violins, harps, and pianos convey a deep sadness that stops everyone in their tracks. Instantly, the audience’s sympathy is evoked whenever this score begins to play.

8 The Great Gatsby Is Better: The Cinematography

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

While both movies boast great cinematography, it is Luhrmann’s Gatsby that edges ahead of the 1998 musical. In The Great Gatsby, cinematographer Simon Duggan does a fantastic job in showcasing the glamour of the Roaring Twenties.

From several of the establishing shots, audiences can see the old taxis driving up and down the streets, the large, ivy-covered mansions and fields, and the speakeasies. The cinematography allows viewers to get immersed in the setting and feel like they are there with Nick. Unfortunately, most of the cinematography in Moulin Rouge! is restricted due to the fact that viewers never leave the theatre.

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7 Moulin Rouge! Is Better: The Overall Story

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

Although Moulin Rouge! is based on the classic myth of Orpheus and Euridice, and The Great Gatsby is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, it is the former’s plot that stands taller. Right from the film’s unconventional opening, Luhrmann has the audience hooked. While many people knew that the story was a tragedy, no one had expected the movie to reveal the ending before it even began, telling them one of the main characters was going to meet a tragic ending.

It was a brilliantly executed move as it made meant that the audiences had to pay more attention and treasure every single moment Christian and Satine had together. Unfortunately, there are not many surprises with Gatsby since it is a well-known story and has had several adaptations.

6 The Great Gatsby Is Better: The Soundtrack Fits With The Movie

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

For some viewers, a great soundtrack is crucial to their loving a movie. Although the cast of the Moulin Rouge! deserves credit for their singing, the modern contemporary songs didn’t fit well with the movie. On the flip side, most of the songs in Gatsby complemented the story.

For instance, when Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful” perfectly convey the thoughts that could be running through Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and Gatsby’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) minds as they try to rediscover the romance of their youth. Will.i.am’s “Bang Bang” also managed to capture the Jazz Age and foreshadow Gatsby’s death.

5 Moulin Rouge! Is Better: The Cast Suits Their Roles Well

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

Although both Gatsby and Moulin Rouge! featured tremendous cast lists, both movies received a different response from the critics. Philip French of The Guardian felt that Tobey Maguire was “miscast [and] misdirected” and that he portrayed Nick as “a less involved observer than an intruder,” which is the complete opposite way to how he is in the book.

On the other hand, the cast of the Moulin Rouge! received better reviews, with Liz Beardsworth of Empire particularly praising the chemistry between Kidman and McGregor, as well as their singing. They managed to bring their passionate love story to life, despite the horrific and villainous Duke’s (Richard Roxburgh) constant threats.

4 The Great Gatsby Is Better: The Costumes & Set Design Are Stunning

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

The brilliant Catherine Martin was one of the visionary costume and set designers who worked on both movies. She was one of the reasons why the audience was star-struck with the performers and the settings as she captured the essence of the Roaring Twenties.

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While there were some aesthetically pleasing outfits in Moulin Rouge!, there was something unique about the choices Martin made at mixing 1920s fashion with some modern styles. According to Fashionista, she modernized the outfits by looking at different silhouettes to fulfill Luhrmann’s wish about the movie being “unexpectedly fresh.” It seems to work well as the vintage Charleston dresses and robe de style outfits brought the movie back into the 21st century.

3 Moulin Rouge! Is Better: The Pace Of The Story Keeps Audiences Intrigued

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

With both movies running for over two hours, Luhrmann had to make sure that he kept audiences entertained the whole time. This was why it is important to set the pace and get it right. While Gatsby tries to keep the audience maintained with high-end drama, some viewers might find the story a little slow and lose interest quickly.

This is what makes Moulin Rouge! slightly better. With several captivating musical numbers, an engrossing love story, and a few comedic moments, the two hours do pass by fairly quickly.

2 The Great Gatsby Is Better: The Editing Is Fantastic

Baz Luhrmann 5 Ways Moulin Rouge Is His Best Work (& 4 Its The Great Gatsby)

While Luhrmann may have directed and co-wrote the scripts for both movies, credit also has to be given to the editing team for piecing together two wonderful projects. However, it is the editing in Gatsby that is far superior, as certain techniques mark important events.

For instance, in the scene where Nick and the viewers are introduced to the infamous Gatsby, the editing team marked his entrance in slow-motion and fireworks, which helped draw audiences to him. Myrtle’s death scene also relied heavily on slow-motion, seemingly representing how Nick was slowly coming to terms with the events of what happened.

1 Moulin Rouge! Is Better: The Protagonist Is Compelling

Although there are a lot of similarities between Nick Carraway and Christian, it is the English poet who is the more compelling protagonist. While Nick’s character development relies mainly on what the other characters do since he is considered an outsider, it is the complete opposite with Moulin Rouge!.

With this movie, the audience watches as Christian transforms from a hopeful and ambitious young man to a heartbroken writer. His transcendental relationship with Satine may have brought about everything he ever dreamed and provided him with inspiration for his story, but it came at a detrimental cost.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/baz-luhrmann-moulin-rouge-great-gatsby-which-better-movie/

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