One of the most talked about films of the year is the film adaptation of the Broadway smash, Chicago. Yes, another musical makes it to the big screen in time for Oscar consideration and it's a worthy competitor. A great story, good acting and singing, it's some of the best all around entertainment out right now amidst the drama heavy Oscar contenders.
This movie takes place in 1920's Chicago and deals with two different but similar women, both who want to make it big on stage as performers. Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta Jones) is a stage singer in a popular stage dance show who kills her husband and sister when she finds them in bed together. Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is at the club Velma plays at on the night the police arrest her. Roxie wants to be a famous singer on stage as well and the guy she is sleeping with has promised her he can help get her on stage with her name in lights. Things go bad and she ends up in jail for murder. The key to their hopes for freedom is the big shot lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere).
This movie sparkles with great performances of acting and singing and yes, even dancing. Richard Gere is great as the tap dancing singing criminal trial attorney for a good price. Catherine Zeta Jones deserves a nod for her turn as Velma Kelly. She sings and moves great not to mention she looks great and plays her role well but she knows stranger to the stage, she got her start in musicals. The one who is really dazzling and impressive is Rene Zellweger as Roxie Hart. She plays the simple and confused cheating wife who wants to be a star with passion and charm. More than likely she will get yet another Oscar nomination for this performance. This film also has great supporting performances with John C. Reilly turning in yet another fine performance this time as Amos, Roxie's husband. Queen Latifah is also good as Matron Mama Morton, the women's prison warden.
This movie is the lightest and easily the most entertaining of all the Oscar buzz movies out right now. Quite a bit of a musical, but overwhelmingly charming and interesting also, Chicago is fine entertainment if you like musicals. It is nowhere near as great as the genre breaking Moulin Rouge, a film that made people who didn't like musicals appreciate it. Still, a very well done and enjoyable film that people who don't like musicals should steer clear of.
Rating: 89
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