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CHICAGO |
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...and all that jazz! |
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Stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rene Zellwegger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly
Director: Rob Marshall
Rated: PG13
Score: 8/10 |
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Buy the Soundtrack |
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While some are declaring that "Chicago" has revived the Musical Genre, how quickly they have forgotten recent unforgettable films such as "Dancer in the Dark" or "Moulin Rouge". If you can't get out to see off or on Broadway musicals, this is your film. It partly feels like a film, it mostly feels like a production with flashy performances, some risque. Set in the 20's, it provides lots of costumes and visuals. The actor's also provide their own voices for each number.
Zellwegger stars as Roxy Hart, a young married woman who is cheating on her husband with a man she hopes will help her break into showbiz. But one night she finds out he's been stringing her along and she goes into a rage and, well, as the song goes...."he had it comin!". |
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Zeta-Jones is Velma Kelly, a vampish sexy stage performer that found her fame as a duet with her sister. But one night the duet turned into a solo when she murdered her sister and husband after finding the two in a "compromising" position. But, as the song goes...."they had it coming!"
Queen Latifah is the prison warden who watches out for her girls, because if your good to mama - then mama's good to you. Velma finds more fame coming from her crime than her career. Roxy on the other hand is desperate to avoid the hangman's noose and her devoted and not so bright husband hires the best lawyer in town (Gere). Fame comes fast and furious for Roxy, who's longed to be a celebrity all her life. Two ego's collide as Roxy and Velma struggle for the spotlight. Velma's experienced, but Roxy is ambitious and sassy. The media, however, has a short attention span and fame is only 15 minutes. |
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The musical numbers aren't a reality, but clearly derived from Roxy's imagination who see's her whole life as one big musical number. Overall the set design has an authentic feel. The dance scenes are often shockingly sexy if not downright lustful. Gere plays a money-driven man who prides himself on the power he has over the media which in turn helps win his cases. Zeta-Jone's performance seems at times distant and cold, while this is probably the best I've seen Zellwegger. The numbers are pretty memorable and at times tongue in cheek humor. If you aren't a fan of musical films or shows then you might as well stay away. But then you could just as easily be entertained by all the provocative lingerie and suggestive dance routines. Personally I was never a fan of the older musicals, but i'm finding it easier to like the modern versions as the numbers are usually suggested as an imagined state of the lead character vs. something audiences are supposed to believe is actually happening in the scene. |
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My first thought was that it was cheesey eye-candy. And heck, maybe in away it is. It's funny, it's fun. While I didn't feel like it was the best film of the year at the time I saw it, I haven't been able to stop thinking of it since leaving the theater. And that's usually a good thing. |
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More Reviews..... |
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