Review of Chicago (2002) by Guido M — 23 Jul 2012

"It offers top-notch musical numbers and is faithful to the source, but Chicago still makes efforts with it's regular script and cast".

I just wasn't amused by the magic of Chicago. Oscar nominated and directed by one of the most ambitious musical or anything directors Rob Marshall, the expectations where as high as the Empire State.

The truth is, even though it's really similar to the musical, Chicago suffers a lot from the bad-chosen cast. They can dance and sing, but they can't develop their characters as much as in the musical.

But there still hope in Chicago. The musical numbers are stunning, and majorly thanks to the musical itself that the movie adaptated. It still dazzles, with maybe more complexity than in the musical, and choreographies so energetic and catchy you may even go dancing out from the theatre.

But it's really that thing from "Cell Block Tango" or "All That Jazz" that are so intense to the heart, and it's not thanks to the movie. Most of the film is a brilliant adaptation, so there's nothing too surprising in comparison to the musical. And of course, the film doesn't reach the high standards of the broadway success.

The plot, also was better developed in stage that in screen. I couldn't get the humour or the drama, I only got violence and erotism. Yes, it makes that sexy thing with you, dancing in lingerie or showing legs, but the raunchy jokes or trouble in the musical aren't developed, why? Because of the cast! That is the core of all drama in Chicago and fails to do what Rob or Bill Condon say.

Chicago is a story of sex, violence and jazz, as it mainly tells the story of Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) who dreams of singing and dancing in Burlesques. While she is married to his beloved husband Amos (John C. Reilly), she is having an affair with a man called Fred Casley (Dominic West), who promises her he will get her a place in stardom. But when Roxy realizes he lies, she kills him, and goes to jail with famous singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who killed her husband and sister. In prision, she fights with Velma to get the recognition of lawyer Bill Flynn (Richard Gere) who assures her a place out of jail, and a fight begins, between excess of fame and lies, that brings the story together.

Chicago stills being good but not Oscar gold. It's an impressively done musical, that lacks of a good cast to handed it well.