My Kind of Movie, Chicago Is!

Just when you think movie musicals are dead…

By Rebecca Redshaw

Reprinted from NotesFromHollywood.com

As the song goes, “My kind of town, Chicago is.” As this review goes, “My kind of movie, CHICAGO is.”

Just when you think movie musicals are dead in the water (in spite of the unique brilliance of MOULIN ROUGE), director Rob Marshall opens our eyes to all kinds of creative possibilities for the future.

Photo by David James

In the past, the primary differences in the transition from the Broadway stage to the big screen were scenic establishing shots (yes, we all can still see Julie Andrews twirling atop the Alps) and clunky adherence to the original book, lyrics, and music (that somehow left the audience wondering if they should applaud at the screen).

CHICAGO was a long time in the making. Originally conceived as a vehicle for dancing divas Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera, the 1975 musical was fat with talent but thin on plot. So, after countless film options and various star talent attached, after thirty plus years from its first curtain with one New York revival in between, this Kander and Ebb show finally plays on film.

Renée Zellweger stars as Roxie Hart. This actress has played all kind of parts from an accountant in JERRY MAGUIRE to Meryl Streep’s daughter in ONE TRUE THING to a plump Brit in BRIDGET JONE’S DIARY. The woman transforms herself every time – duh, that’s what great actresses do!

Richard Gere razzle-dazzle’s his way to center stage and Catherine Zeta-Jones plays the best-looking second banana I’ve ever seen.

The story is filled with brash characters and no two more opposite than John C. Reilly as Roxie’s transparently sincere schmo husband and Queen Latifah’s Mama, the warden with a big heart and plenty of room to house it!

The movie is strikingly similar to the stage version but it stands on its own because Marshall has a vision of movement that most first time director’s lack. Even in the brief moments that toes aren’t tapping and people aren’t singing, the film has an undeniable rhythm created by superb editing and pace.

These are glum times in the world and if you can walk away from two hours in the movies feeling razzle-dazzled then this movie musical has more than done its part.