Directed by:
Rob MarshallCinematography:
Dion BeebeComposer:
John KanderCast:
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah, Jayne Eastwood, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Lucy Liu (more)VOD (3)
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Everyone loves a legend - but in Chicago, there's only room for one. Velma Kelly burns in the spotlight as a nightclub sensation. When she shoots her philandering husband, she lands on Chicago's famed murderess row, retains Chicago's slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn, and becomes the center of the town's most notorious murder case - only increasing her celebrity. Roxie Hart, seduced by the city's promise of style and adventure, dreams of singing and dancing her way to stardom. When Roxie's abusive lover tries to walk out on her, she too ends up in prison. The ambitious Billy recognizes another made-for-tabloids story, and postpones Velma's court date to take on Roxie's case. Infamy is Roxie's ticket to stardom. Billy turns her crime of passion into celebrity headlines, and in this town, where murder is a form of entertainment, she becomes a bona fide star - much to Velma's chagrin. (Paramount Pictures AU)
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Reviews (9)
It wasn't an experience I'll never forget, probably partly because I already know the songs here. They are not the best ones. The clear highlight is the format where cabaret scenes intertwine with classic narrative ones. It's a celebration of cabaret and its beautiful cynicism, as well as the cynicism of people in general. Anyone can be a star, and anyone can become a star. All you need is good marketing. This is a musical that has an idea, and it is excellent. It's just a shame I didn't see the film in a better mood. It must have looked great on stage.
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The perfect kind of musical? Never getting bored, even for a minute! And that's where Rob Marshall comes in. Under his leadership, the heavy story transforms into an elegant and sophisticated spectacle with an excellent leading trio of actors (especially Catherine Zeta-Jones, captivating in her sexy demonic posing and seductive voice), though at certain moments they should cut the singing, since a song revolving around a noose, for example, is clearly unnecessary. To a certain extent, however, I understand the flood of Oscars; even years later, this is an incredible feast for the eyes.
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Actually, it was only the Oscar triumph that lured me to this otherwise somewhat underrated musical, but I certainly don't regret it. And this is thanks to the pleasantly funny story, mostly from a prison setting, which does not spare black humour while irradiating good mood. And then mainly because of the actors and the choreographies performed by everyone involved. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and John C. Reilly give quite possibly the performances of their lives, and the confused cackle of Renée Zellweger, who apparently still hasn't driven Bridget out of her head, fits in perfectly. And if we also take into account Danny Elfman's music, the costumes and the sets, the Oscar it’s not so embarrassing...
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Chicago is a musical full of colour that paradoxically takes place within the dark walls of an American prison, home to sophisticated murderers but also great artists in the field of dance and singing. The most unforgettable scene was without a doubt the prison tango, it had momentum, excellent choreography and funny sequences around the murders of our lovely ladies. The trio of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere are brimming with acting, singing and dancing talent, which is quite a powerful combination. And the supporting actors like Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly also impress. In short, a film that, while not perfect, is above average as a representative of its genre and definitely worthy of another viewing.
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I expected almost nothing from Chicago and maybe that’s why I had so much fun. My heart still belongs to the other great musical from the early 21st century (the time they were made, BTW, is the only thing Chicago and Moulin Rouge have in common), but it still deserves a thumbs up; it’s certainly not the undeserved Oscar winner many people say.
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