“Chicago” (Miramax)
“Chicago,” the play, has been around for years. Somehow it has never attracted the gigantic audiences that “Phantom” or “Lion King” has. It was more of a cult show, one that Bob Fosse devotees would appreciate. Therefore the movie version of “Chicago” was not expected to be any big thing. But it is! It is the razzle dazzle musical of this year and maybe the entire decade.
From the opening number when Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly oozes her way through “All that Jazz” to the bang up finale when two of the stars belt out “Nowadays” this is a rip-roaring joyride through the streets of Chicago in the twenties and the fun and excitement never stop.
The plot centers on the life of Roxie Hart (Renee Zellwegger), a Doris Day lookalike done up with a kewpie doll smile. She is married to a dull dud named Amos (John C Reilly) and has a lover on the side. When the lover casts her aside, she shoots him in a fit of rage. This lands her in prison to await her trial.
Vera Kelly is also in the clink for killing her lover and her sister, but she has famed lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) working on her case. AND Billy Flynn has never lost a case. At least that is what Mama Morton (Queen Latifah) says. Mama is the warden and she should know.
Billy ends up representing Vera and Roxie which makes for a bang up finale. Will they be saved from the hangman’s noose or not Will Amos serve as Roxie’s alibi Can Mama Morton make some money off the deal And what about the baby Roxie claims she is having What will happen to it
As you can see, there is a lot of plot in this movie. Enough to keep you interested for the length of the film. But there are also musical numbers galore, staged with the Bob Fosse choreography style so identified with the show.
Zeta-Jones, Zellwegger, Gere, Reilly and Latifah all do their own singing and dancing and they are good. Zeta-Jones is amazing in the looks and dancing/singing departments. Zellwegger is the perfect actress to play Roxie. Gere has never been so smoothly suave. Reilly has the dullness of a “Mr. Cellophane” down pat. And Latifah is sensually stunning as Mama.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
Even if you usually don’t like musicals, you are going to love “Chicago.” This is the musical to end all musicals. I have seen it four times and plan to see it again. It is just the most infectious, spirit raising film I have seen in ages.
I scored “Chicago” a windy 10 out of 10.
©2002 Jackie K. Cooper
