Moulin Rouge!: All That Glitters Isn't Just Glitter (Is It?)

Okay, so I finally revisited Moulin Rouge! after... well, years. And while my initial reaction was mostly "shiny!" and "Ewan McGregor, swoon," this time around I'm thinking there's a lot more going on under the surface, particularly when it comes to the whole 'Bohemian idealism versus cynical commercialism' thing. It's not just a simple good vs. evil, artist vs. businessman. The movie kinda messes with that binary in interesting ways. Specifically, look at Harold Zidler. He's the ultimate capitalist, right? Exploiting the performers, running the Moulin Rouge as a purely profit-driven enterprise. But he also facilitates this incredible artistic expression. He gives Christian a platform, even if it's initially to woo Satine for the Duke. He's a walking contradiction! And then you have the Duke, who supposedly wants to 'own' Satine and the Moulin Rouge to elevate himself BUT he also is willing to invest in the play and therefore, in art? It makes you wonder if the movie is trying to say that genuine artistic creation requires some level of compromise, some 'selling out.' I mean, Satine is the ultimate example of this, right? She has to be a courtesan to survive in that world, to even have the chance to realize her dreams of being an actress. Maybe the tragedy isn't just that they die, but that their pure, unadulterated love and idealism are ultimately crushed by the realities of needing to eat, needing to have a roof over your head. Even Christian, who spouts all this stuff about 'truth, beauty, freedom, and love,' has to write popular songs at the start of the movie, pandering to the audience... It’s not super subtle, granted, but it's effective. I'm not sure if I entirely buy into it, to be honest. Part of me still wants to cling to that 'uncompromising art' ideal. But Moulin Rouge! definitely gave me something to chew on, even if it leaves me feeling slightly cynical and… well, glittery. Anyone else have thoughts on this? Am I reading too much into all those sequins?