Yes, it's completely predictable. Yes, it's clearly a feel-good triumph-in-the-end kind of story. But even if that's not your thing, you should see this movie because it's visually stunning.
It's not as surreal as Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, but I think that's what makes it even more impressive. I was lulled into a sense of reality about the sets while enjoying the outrageous characters that are reminiscent of an old time silent movie. But then I realized that the sets and scenes were amazingly beautiful, well designed and thought out. At one point, I thought that the frame could easily hang on my wall as a picture. I haven't been that impressed since Kurasawa's Ran.
This is a brilliantly artistic film. Kudos to Martin Brown and Steve Mason for art and cinematography. Obviously, the costumes are beautiful, but it's even funny how the makeup team managed to capture the correct style for the dancers and, in at least one instance, the impression of bad 80's makeup that was just part of the character. I loved it. On top of that, it all works because the actors hold onto their characters honestly.
It's not as surreal as Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, but I think that's what makes it even more impressive. I was lulled into a sense of reality about the sets while enjoying the outrageous characters that are reminiscent of an old time silent movie. But then I realized that the sets and scenes were amazingly beautiful, well designed and thought out. At one point, I thought that the frame could easily hang on my wall as a picture. I haven't been that impressed since Kurasawa's Ran.
This is a brilliantly artistic film. Kudos to Martin Brown and Steve Mason for art and cinematography. Obviously, the costumes are beautiful, but it's even funny how the makeup team managed to capture the correct style for the dancers and, in at least one instance, the impression of bad 80's makeup that was just part of the character. I loved it. On top of that, it all works because the actors hold onto their characters honestly.