Chicago

Rob Marshall, USA, 2002, 113 minutes

Following in the footsteps of Moulin Rouge, this is debutante director Rob Marshall's attempt at reviving the movie musical with this adaptation of the legendary stage show. With five Oscars including Best Picture, he did a rather swell job. Featuring a glittering, all singing all dancing cast of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellwegger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah and John C Reilly and the marketing machine that is Miramax, you would expect this film to be all gloss and no substance, and well, you wouldn't be too far from the truth. However, the gloss is fabulous. The costumes, the stage-like set design, the appropriately hammy acting and surprisingly impressive vocals: Chicago is pure entertainment.

Immersing you in the action, the now familiar story of two murderesses’ quest for fame in 1920s Chicago provides a platform for the musical action. The story unfolds as a division between two worlds, Roxie’s imaginary (the musical numbers) and reality (the straight talking dialogue). One particular song will unleash Richard Gere singing in boxers shorts and string vest (yes this is a warning), but a remarkable tap routine and all round decent singing later, all is forgiven. Loud, fun, brash, sexy and in your face, Chicago is one of the most genuinely entertaining films to emerge from Hollywood in 2002.

Review by Steph Wright
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2003