  French Cancan- I’m glad that I decided to give this film a second chance on DVD. When I first saw it, I wrote it off as a frivolous, moderately interesting musical comedy. On second viewing, it’s charms really hit home. I think it’s because I watched it differently.
The first time through, I focused on Jean Gabin and the opening of the Moulin Rouge. This time, I concentrated on Nini, the laundry girl. She is a clear influence on Kidman’s Satine. When examined from that angle, it makes for an enchanting experience. She balances four loves: one rich, one poor, one a showman and finally, the joy of performance itself. When coupled with Renoir’s remarkable eye for composition and the reasonably vibrant transfer, you have a winner. This particular picture will be better explained pictorially, so I’ll leave you with a few choice shots.
Gabin and Nini The Moulin Rouge! Stars in her eyes Lover 1: the baker Lover 2: the Count I have a nearly identical picture by Barbier in my study Gabin's old flame One of the children of paradise Could Baz have been inspired by this sequence? French Cancan Nini's big debut The green faerie 
