Review of Chicago (1927) by Connor C — 06 Jan 2011

I wondered if musicals could translate into box office and critical success in today's age and Chicago answered that question soundly. This was definitely one of the 20 best musical films of all time.

Renee Zellweger was very good as the attention-starved Roxie but it's the people who did not receive critical acclaim who made this film great. Richard Gere was excellent as win-at-all-costs attorney Billy Flynn and it is a travesty Gere was not even considered for an Academy Award for his performance.

Same goes for Queen Latifah as Mama and Christine Baranski as Miss Sunshine. Yes, Catherine Zeta-Jones was very good as Velma Kelly but Latifah deserved the nod. John C. Reilly was also great. Definitely one of the strongest casts assembled in the last ten years.

Excellent film.