Too much of everything

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This Baz Luhrmann La Boheme is just lovely. I would have the 1988 SF production or the 1965 production as first choices over this one, that said, coming from someone who finds Luhrmann's filmography very hit and miss I very much enjoyed this Australian production of La Boheme.Visually, it is beautifully done, with the whole production shot lovingly with no overblown editing in sight. The acts 1 and 4 settings are well-lit and appropriate, but for sets I found act 2 was the most effective. The costumes are sumptuous, with Mimi looking very angelic dressed in white. Staging is also great, act 2 is busy without being too chaotic, the end of act 1 is understated, and the quartet and act 4 are just heart-breaking as they should be.From a musical point of view, this La Boheme also excels. The orchestra bring out the pathos and beauty of Puccini's magnificent score wonderfully and the conducting is nicely genteel while never becoming stodgy. Chorus work is excellent, especially with the ladies, though the start of act 3 with the men is characterful and mostly in tune.You also have great performances. It is true that David Hobson's tenor voice is quite lightweight and perhaps on the thin side. This in mind, he does sing beautifully with no obvious strain and uses the voice musically, and at least he emotes and exudes good chemistry with Baker. Cheryl Baker is a wonderful Mimi, with her two shining moments being in Donde Leita Uschi and the whole of the final act. The end of act 3 with the snowballs may be corny to some, I personally found it quite affecting.Christine Douglas is a flirtatious and witty Musetta, and Robert Demke is great as Marcello, reacting well with Douglas during La Commedia Stupenda...Quando M'en Vo and blending beautifully with Hobson in In Un Coupe...O Mimi Tu Piu Non Torni. Colline is intelligently sung with a very musically phrased Vecchio Zimmara, Schaunard steals every scene he appears in and Benoit, Parpignol and Alcindoro are sung and acted with few problems at all.In conclusion, lovely. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This is, definitely, one of the most beautiful and poignant interpretations/performances of this classic opera. The director, Baz Luhrmann (best known for Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge!), revamped it and set it in the 1950s French Latin Quarter. Not only is the acting strong, but the singing is superb. The leads, David Hobson (as the poet, Rudolfo) and Mimi (the ailing Mimi) are absolutely mesmerizing.Even watching it, back in 1994, I could tell it was going to go on to be legendary. The artistic direction is vibrant, the music is beautifully performed and there are even warm, humorous moments, sprinkled between the seams of tragedy and mournfulness. You feel a connection to the actors, and it ultimately tugs at your heartstrings........Note: Watch this with a box of tissues and someone you love........

I had never seen the Opera La Bohéme before, then,I cannot say that this version is better than the other ones.In my opinion, I found it quite interesting, not only for the love story, which is beautiful spite of being simple, but also because it take place in modern times. Most of the Operas that I watched, happened in remote time, or in the last century.La Bohéme has its story in France, after the Second World War and tells about Rodolfo and Mimi , neighbours that fall in love to each other.As all the operas, it finishes in a tragic way, that it is the death of Mimi.

Not only is this a wonderful and accessible production of Puccini's great opera, it also suggests the origins of much that Baz Luhrmann has done since, especially in "Moulin Rouge". Luhrmann has set it in a more modern time than is usual, with many of his later trademarks in evidence, such as the 'L'amour' sign. It is a fresh, vigorous and youthful production, as Puccini no doubt intended it to be.The leads are not only great singers, but are young and good looking, giving a visual credibility and beauty to match the sound.I cannot recommend this film too highly to opera lovers. I love it.