The intense songs as I have so aptly titled them, are just that, INTENSE. They will grab you by the throat and throw you into the film. Draw on every emotion you have welled within you and shake you thoroughly in your seat. Look out particularly for a splendid mix of The Tango and Roxanne. Now this is not to say that the love songs don't work. In fact, quite the contrary they soar. And if you are a female they might touch you beyond words. Ewan and Nicole have absolutely fantastic voices and the orchestral symphonies will have you swaying. But as a dateless sixteen-year-old boy I think I will stick to intense comedy.

But the film is not simply a litany of music videos shot together. By no means no. It is a passionate if slightly simple love story that just happens to have some of the greatest musical moments, sets, costume designs and locations thrown in for good measure. And the thing that brings all these elements together so magically is its "visionary" director, Baz Luhrmann. His attention to detail and insistence on every frame of film being beautiful is truly what makes it special. It was his vision and he is the one that made it ours. Helped of course by the wonderful, over the top performances of all the actors involved he has created a movie that is affecting, personal and absolutely brilliant.

Some critics have complained that the love story is too simple. But I think that in those times, and in this situation it would have been simple, and it is the simple choice that courtesan Satine has to make that devastates both her, Christian and the audience. It has also been noted that it was too quickly cut, but I had no qualms. To me it only helped to sweep me along. It is such a pleasure to see an Australian film of such fun and freedom and I can't wait to see what Baz has up his sleeve for all of us next time.

The only problem I have with this movie is that it is too good. I wanted desperately to be a mean and scathing critic but here there is nothing to be mean and scathing about. Oh well here is the mark: