Moulin Rouge! 2001

As the year 1900 dawns, writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) sits at his desk, his typewriter humming with creative energy as he pours out his thoughts onto the page. But little do we know that this is merely a chapter in Christian’s journey, which began just a year prior in the vibrant Montmartre district of Paris. It was there that he immersed himself in the city’s Bohemian culture, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Toulouse-Lautrec and his troupe of performers.

Their proposed show, “Spectacular Spectacular”, was floundering without a finishing touch, until Christian’s writing skills came to the rescue. His collaboration with the group led them to the doors of the iconic Moulin Rouge, where they were met by Harold Zidler (Tom Waits), the enigmatic owner of the cabaret. As Zidler and his “Diamond Dog Dancers” took center stage for an unforgettable performance that blended Lady Marmalade, Zidler’s Rap, and Smells Like Teen Spirit, Christian found himself on the cusp of something extraordinary.

It was here that he first laid eyes on Satine (Nicole Kidman), the Moulin Rouge’s star courtesan. Unbeknownst to him, however, Zidler had secretly promised her to the wealthy and ruthless Duke of Monroth, a potential investor in the cabaret with a reputation for getting what he wants. As Christian navigates this treacherous landscape, it becomes clear that Satine is struggling with her own demons, as she grapples with the reality of her tuberculosis diagnosis.

The course of fate brings Christian and Satine together, but not before she mistakes him for the Duke himself. A dance-filled evening ensues, culminating in a private meeting between the two in Satine’s chambers, where they discuss the lines for the Moulin Rouge’s new show (“Rhythm of the Night”). As their connection deepens, Christian finds himself smitten with Satine, despite her being promised to another man. The Duke soon interrupts their intimate moment, forcing them to concoct a cover story about rehearsing lines for the upcoming production.

With Zidler and Toulouse-Lautrec’s help, they successfully pitch “Spectacular Spectacular” to the Duke, spinning a tale of an evil maharajah and his attempts to win over an Indian courtesan in love with a poor sitar player (“The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)”). The Duke agrees to back the show on one condition: that he be the only one allowed to see Satine. As the Moulin Rouge is transformed into a theater, Christian and Satine continue their clandestine meetings under the guise of rehearsing her lines.

Meanwhile, Satine’s longing to leave the cabaret behind and pursue a life as a “real actress” (“One Day I’ll Fly Away”) grows stronger by the day. It is here that Christian sees his chance to convince her that she truly belongs with him, as they embark on a passionate journey of discovery and love amidst the vibrant backdrop of Montmartre’s Bohemian culture.

As the stakes escalate, The Duke’s growing paranoia sparks an undercurrent of tension within the cabaret. Zidler, ever the shrewd impresario, orchestrates a clandestine dinner invitation for Satine to dine with The Duke, hoping to diffuse the situation. However, fate has other plans: during a rehearsal, Gorecki (Satine) falls ill, and her condition worsens, casting a pall of mortality over the proceedings. Zidler learns that Satine’s tuberculosis is now terminal, leaving him torn between his duty to the show and his concern for her well-being.

Meanwhile, Christian pens a heartfelt love song into the script, a defiant declaration of their devotion (“Come What May”). As The Duke observes Christian rehearsing lines with Satine, Nini, another performer consumed by jealousy, uncovers the metaphorical parallels between the play’s narrative and the trio’s tumultuous relationships. Enraged, The Duke demands that Zidler alter the show’s climax to ensure the courtesan ends up in the arms of the Maharajah.

Satine proposes a Faustian bargain: she will spend the night with The Duke if he agrees to preserve the original ending. But as she stands outside his quarters, gazing down at Christian on the city streets below, Satine’s resolve crumbles (“El Tango De Roxanne”). The Duke’s advances prove unwelcome, and she is rescued by Le Chocolat, a fellow dancer. Reunited with Christian, she realizes that their love is worth fighting for.

The Duke issues an ultimatum to Zidler: if Satine does not surrender to him, he will have Christian silenced. Zidler conveys this warning to Satine, but when she refuses to capitulate, he finally reveals the devastating truth about her mortality (“A Fool to Believe”). Faced with the threat to their love and Christian’s life, Satine makes a heart-wrenching decision: she will remain with The Duke, sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of the show. As Christian tries to follow her into this new reality, he is rebuffed at the Moulin Rouge’s doors, plunging him into a deep despair, despite Toulouse-Lautrec’s reassurances that Satine still harbors feelings for him.

As the curtain rises on the fateful night, Christian slips into the opulent Moulin Rouge, driven by a burning desire to buy back Satine’s affections. The price he pays is no less than his own vulnerability, as he confronts her mere moments before she takes center stage. In this pivotal moment, Christian demands that Satine confess her indifference towards him, and in response, the spotlight shines down upon them. Zidler, ever the master of manipulation, convinces the audience that Christian is none other than the masked sitar virtuoso, a ruse that sparks Christian’s ire as he denounces Satine and exits the stage.

The night air is pierced by Toulouse-Lautrec’s poignant cry from above: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” This haunting reminder stirs something deep within Satine, prompting her to reveal a hidden vulnerability as she begins to sing the secret love song that Christian had penned for their own tender passion. As if drawn by an unseen force, Christian returns to the stage, joining forces with Satine as they harmonize in perfect sync.

The Duke’s henchmen attempt to strike down Christian, but Toulouse-Lautrec and La Petite Princesse intervene, thwarting their efforts. The Duke himself makes a valiant effort to stop Christian, only to be foiled once more by Zidler’s cunning guile. As the performance reaches its climax, Christian and Satine complete their duet, their voices intertwining like the threads of a tapestry.

But even as the curtain falls, Satine’s frail body betrays her, succumbing to the ravages of tuberculosis. In her final moments, she finds solace in Christian’s presence, reaffirming their love before departing this mortal coil. A year later, the Moulin Rouge lies dormant, its lights extinguished like a dying ember. And yet, Christian remains, pouring his heart and soul onto the page, crafting the tale of his enduring love for Satine - a love that will forever remain etched in the annals of time, much like the haunting melody of “Nature Boy (Reprise)”.