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Chicago review
:. Director: Rob Marshall
:. Starring: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones
:. Running Time: 1:53
:. Year: 2002
:. Country: USA
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In 2002 Chicago emerged twice as the den of sin, once in The Road to Perdition, and now in the eponymous Chicago.
Sultry, vampy Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones) sets the tone of this musical with her sexy take on "All that Jazz", her hands still bloody from killing her husband and sister after catching them together. Roxie (Renée Zellweger), who dreams of being a star, sees Velma's act at the club and later that night kills her lover. Both women find themselves in jail awaiting trial and competing for headlines under the arrogant gaze of their sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). Several song and dance numbers appear in Roxie's daydreams as she waits for her big moment to perform at her trial. That's basically it.
No energy is wasted on plot. Legs, sequins and a few noteworthy performances are at the heart of this film. Zeta-Jones is the most glamorous scene stealer (who proves she can sing and dance) as a bad girl and Queen Latifah is magnificent in her role as prison guard Big Mama. John C. Reilly, who by now must officially be the guy that everyone loves, plays a sap no one remembers here. As usual, he can make a little go a long way.
While there's a look at media and crime, such as an interesting scene where the puppetry of the press conference is personified by Flynn manipulating Roxie like a ventriloquist, referring to the "trial of the century" and Roxie and Velma vying for press, this is hardly the forum for analysis. Unfortunately, without the benefit of live performances and a little more depth to the characters, the film ends up feeling a little too glossy and superficial. Moulin Rouge, on the other hand, was exhilarating with its energy and heartbreaker of a story.
Chicago, like sneaking a few nips of bootleg liquor, will warm you up for a little while but ultimately you need more.
Anji Milanovic
 Movie Reviews: from 1998 to 2011
Movie Reviews: from 2012 to present
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