Movies

There are so many remarkable similarities in Baz Luhrmanns 2001 film Moulin Rouge and Vincente Minnellis An American in Paris with regard to their musical format and usage of Paris as the stories setting. However, there are also several differences found in the films when it comes to how they depicted the iconic artworks and life in Paris at the time both films are set. Luhrmanns production presented the 1889 Montmartre, Paris through the underworld life in the infamous club known as the Moulin Rouge. Minnelli, on the other hand, emphasized the city as a place crowded with various types of artists such as painters, ballerina, pianists and other of sorts.

    Though Moulin Rouge also depicted Paris with different types of artists such as writers, ballerinas, poets, dancers and singers, the film was more particular in the darkness of the underworld life in Paris while An American in Paris showed a rather positive Paris without the prostitutes and lowlifes. A narration in the opening of the film already revealed the type of Paris that Minnelli was about to show in the film. This is Paris. And Im an American who lives here. My name Jerry Mulligan. And Im an ex-GI. In 1945, when the Army told me to find my own job, I stayed on and Ill tell you why. Im a painter. All my life, thats all Ive ever wanted to do. (Minnelli). It was then followed by a description of Paris as a world for artists such as painters. The lead character named Jerry Mulligan who was played by Gene Kelly claimed that it was the perfect place for artists.

And for a painter, the Mecca of the world for study, for inspiration, and for living is here on this star called Paris. Just look at it. No wonder so many artists have come here and called it home. Brother, if you cant paint in Paris, youd better give up and marry the bosss daughter (Minnelli).
Moulin Rouge, on the other hand, was introduced with darkly lit images of 1889 Montmartre, Paris. It showed prostitutes roaming around the streets and other lowlife creatures of the underworld. As the main character, Christian, played by Ewan McGregor, described the Moulin Rouge as
A night club, a dance hall and a bordello. Ruled over by Harold Zidler. A kingdom of night time pleasures. Where the rich and powerful came to play with the young and beautiful creatures of the underworld. The most beautiful of these was the one I loved. Satine. A courtesan. She sold her love to men. They called her the Sparkling Diamond, and she was the star... of the Moulin rouge. The woman I loved is... dead.

    The tragic story of the film was already given in this concise introduction by the narrator and main character of the story. Apparently, the difference between the two films revolves around the idea of how they portrayed Paris in a musical format and the ambience of the two films.

    However, in response to which film is more successful as an organic art, I believe An American in Paris achieved this one. This is because Moulin Rouge  used digital enhancers to achieve a better scenery in their background which is, of course, conflicts with the idea of organic art as organic art refers to natural art. Since the former film used more natural backdrops and they really did shoot some scenes in the city of Paris, it is more reasonable to be appreciated by organic artists.