This is under Q because of star Queen Latifah.
Director: Rob Marshall
Writer: Bill Condon (Screenplay) Maurice Dallas Watkins (Play)
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Dominic West, John C Reilly, Queen Latifah, Lucy Liu
Plot: Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer’s attention.
Tagline – With the right song and dance, you can get away with murder.
Runtime: 1 Hour 53 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Chicago starts when aspiring performer Roxie Hart (Zellweger) believes that Fred Casely (West) will introduce her to Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) to give her a chance at her dreams. Only Fred had been using Roxie who snaps and murders him, landing her on death-row, where she meets a host of women, including Velma who have been placed there after dealing with people who have wronged them.
As Roxie learns how to survive in prison, she befriends Matron Mama Morton (Latifah) who points her in the right direction of a lawyer Billy Flynn (Gere) to use her appeal to get everyone talking about the story, which will create jealousy from Velma, who has been the talk of the town.
Thoughts on Chicago
Thoughts – Chicago is the musical version of a court case, showing how jazz singers and dancers would use the art form to tell the story behind the crimes they are accused of committing, showing why they did them, how they were motivated and how the show will draw more eyes to the case. This is a film filled with the razzle dazzle you would come to expect from a jazz styled musical, while keeping the idea that showbusiness will let you get away with anything in the world. The change in characters decisions will add to the story, as we see just how Roxie learns to adapt to fame, while overshadowing Velma who still craves the spotlight. The performances are fantastic from everyone involved, be it the serious side of the song and dance side of what is required.
Final Thoughts – Chicago is a highly entertaining musical giving something for the audience in every scene.
