Rating of
3.5/4
Review - Chicago (2002)
Delorted - wrote on 10/27/07
All her life Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) wanted to be a showgirl. She idolized singers like Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and wished to one day be just like her. Of course, in 1920’s Chicago, it’s not easy being a showgirl, and Roxie was willing to do anything or anyone to get there. When the man she slept with (Dominic West) turned out to be a fraud, she blew him away and landed herself in prison. Her only way out now was through her warden “Mama” Morton (Queen Latifah) and the slick lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) in the Best Picture winning movie musical, “Chicago.”
Obviously the highlight of the film would be the music, and it truly is well done. Zellweger and Zeta-Jones both belt out stunning performances, while Queen Latifah and Gere have equally stellar talents. Another performance seriously worth mentioning is that of John C. Reilly as Amos, Roxie’s husband. Every character worked well together and even the non-singing bandleader (Taye Diggs) was wonderful.
The story itself is a bit shabby, and a few parts seem out of place. There are even one or two entire scenes that seem completely unnecessary. However, the adaptation from film to stage is incredible, in that I honestly have no idea how it was ever done on stage. I have never seen the stage performance as of this moment (and I have been advised not to), but it seems from what I’ve heard that they are too different to even compare.
The lighting really sells this film. While the stage scenes are bright and colorful, the “real life” scenes are dull and dreary. The contrast is clever and really works for the film. The dismal life Roxie has and the dazzling life she dreams of interweave and look brilliant on screen.
While I don’t think it’s particularly Best Picture material, “Chicago” is an upbeat, fun musical that brings on what it offers, and all that jazz.
Acting: 8/10
Writing: 6/10
Video/Editing: 9/10
Audio/Music: 9/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Final Score: 8.4/10
