Review of Chicago (1927) by Manny C — 12 Jan 2011

Seriously, what else could you want in a musical? There are those who, even to this day, like to rip on Chicago because there isn't a likeable character among the bunch. Fine--wallow in Sandra Bullock goo.

Chicago is based on Bob Fosse's Broadway smash, and onscreen it razzles and it dazzles! Though it's set in 1920's Chicago, it's story of two ladies, Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (a fabulously pregnant Catherine Zeta-Jones) both went for the gun when they were done wrong by the men in their lives. But both get help from smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) so they can get out of the prison run by Matron Mama Thornton (Queen Latifah, delightful) and they plan to get the tabloids on their side. How much has changed since those days?

Director Rob Marshall, a Broadway vet himself with television credits made a debut that single-handedly revitalized the movie musical. Together with screenwriter Bill Condon, they deliver a take-no-prisoners, hard-assed script that re-imagines the musical numbers for an audience raised on MTV. It's no wonder Chicago took nearly all of the top honors at that year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

As for the cast? Well Zellweger and Zeta-Jones bring the house dowm, tearing into classic numbers from John Kander and Fred Ebb (also responsible for the songs from my favorite film Cabaret) and they both dance with wild abandon (especially Zeta-Jones, who took the Best Supporting Actress Oscar). Zeta-Jones, looking like a Y2K Cyd Charisse steals the show with her pitch-perfect rendition of 'All That Jazz'. It's hot, hot hot! Gere, normally pretty low-key and laid back, has never been more vibrant and jubilant in a movie. To see him tap his way through the court is one for the time capsule. Zellweger has never been better onscreen either, even when abusing her goody-good husband, Amos (John C. Reilly-who does a great 'Mr. Cellophane').

Then there's that prison number, which pops like nothing else onscreen. Chicago is a musical and cinematic delight from start to finish, and must also be credited with bringing show-tune camp back to the mainstream (have you seen Glee lately?). It's wild, it's near-depraved, it's dazzling! It's dynamite!