Chicago (2002)

Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

Director:

Rob Marshall

Writers:

Bill Condon (screenplay), Bob Fosse (book),

Stars:

Taye Diggs, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger

Won 6 Oscars. Another 42 wins & 57 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Taye Diggs	...	Bandleader
Cliff Saunders	...	Stage Manager
Catherine Zeta-Jones	...	Velma Kelly
Renée Zellweger	...	Roxie Hart
Dominic West	...	Fred Casely
Jayne Eastwood	...	Mrs. Borusewicz
Bruce Beaton	...	Police Photographer
Roman Podhora	...	Sergeant Fogarty
John C. Reilly	...	Amos Hart
Colm Feore	...	DA Martin Harrison
Robert Smith	...	Newspaper Photographer (as Rob Smith)
Sean Wayne Doyle	...	Reporter
Steve Behal	...	Prison Clerk
Robbie Rox	...	Prison Guard
Chita Rivera	...	Nickie

Storyline

Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | fame | jail | vaudeville | 1920s | 

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Taglines:

It's Just A Noisy Hall Where There's A Nightly Brawl...and All That Jazz

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and dialogue, violence and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English Hungarian

Release Date:

24 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chicago: The Musical

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$929,809 (Japan) (18 April 2003)

Gross:

$170,684,505 (USA) (29 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Producers Circle, Storyline Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Broadway musical production of "Chicago" opened at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre) on June 3, 1975 starring Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera (who had a cameo in the film), and Jerry Orbach in the principal roles. During a vacation, Liza Minnelli played Roxie Hart. There were many replacements during the original run, including Ann Reinking as Roxie Hart. The show ran for 936 performances. The original non-musical play "Chicago" opened at the Music Box Theater on December 30, 1926 and ran for five months. The musical version had even more success as a revival, opening again at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 14, 1996. It has moved to various other theatres, and as of this writing (May 2008), is still running.

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Goofs

During "Cell Block Tango",as Liz twirls and lands on her partner Bernie's knee, a lock of her long hair lands on top of his head. In alternating medium/closeup shots, the lock of hair disappears/reappears on top of Bernie's head.

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Quotes

Billy Flynn: Miss Kelly, did you make a deal with Assistant D.A. Harrison to drop all charges against you in exchange for your testimony?
Velma Kelly: Why, sure. I'm not a complete idiot.

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Crazy Credits

There's no opening credits, save the title "CHICAGO".

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Connections

Referenced in The Apprentice: Broadway Boardroom (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Overture/And All That Jazz"
(1975)
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, and Taye Diggs
Published by Unichappell Music, Inc. (BMI)

User Reviews

Wicked & Saucy ..... & Oh So Very Naughty......

Having just seen "Chicago", I must say I was very impress. Kudos to all involved. Rob Marshall has done a fine job in adapting this beloved musical to the big screen (not an easy task), and considering the fact that this is his first big-budget feature, his accomplishment is even more resounding.

The movie follows the lives of two women, living in the tough city of "Chicago" in the 1920's. Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta Jones) is a sexy stage performer, who finds herself thrown into prison after a fit of rage results in the death of both her husband and her sister who have been carry on an illict affair with each other. The other lady in question is wannabe starlet Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger), a married woman, who after being seduced and duped by her devious lover, get revenge on him by shooting him dead. This act of vengeance also see's her taking a trip to prison, and it's here that a battle of one-up-man-ship commences between the two ladies, as both use whatever means at their disposal to get (a) out of jail and (b) gain the most publicity doing it. The connecting factor between Velma & Roxie comes in the form of an unscrupulous high profile defense attorney Billy Flynn (played by Richard Gere), who also knowing when to take advantage of an opportunity, becomes counsel for both women and their respective cases.

"Chicago" is fortunate enough to have several things going for it. Aside from strong direction from Rob Marshall, the film is blessed with memorable performances from it's three leads. Catherine Zeta Jones oozes a vampish nature to her portrayal of Velma Kelly. Looking every inch the star, she commands a strong presence in the film, and appears right at home handling both the singing and dancing aspects of the role with ease and class, not to mention a high degree of sexiness. Richard Gere also plays his part in the movie with aplomb. Despite his questionable tactics and somewhat dubious nature, Gere lends a roguish charm to his character which has you walking away if not liking then at the very least admiring his character's quick skill and cunning guile. Gere is also a strong performer in the areas of singing and dancing (much to my surprise!!). However, it's Renee Zellweger who takes centre-stage in "Chicago" - and boy, does she relish every moment of it. She is without doubt, the "star performer" of this film. With sly nods to past "blonde bombshells" such as Jean Harlow & Marilyn Munroe, Zellweger runs the gauntlet of high and lows that require of her character. From demure & sweet, to sly & munipulative, you never know what she gonna do next. And as with Zeta-Jones & Gere, Zellweger also does justice when it comes to belting out a tune, or doing the hot step.

Our three principals are lucky to have an equally talented supporting cast to back them up. From John C Reilly as the down-trodden husband of Roxie Hart, to Queen Latifah as the "larger-than-life" matron of a women's prison, everyone in this film is right on the mark with their performances. Yet at the heart of any good musical, is of course the musical numbers, and in this respect "Chicago" does not disappoint.

From the opening heat of "All That Jazz", to the saltry "When You're Good To Mama", through to the electric "Cellblock Tango", onto the wistful "Roxie", then to the playful kitsch of "Razzle Dazzle" to the all-out "Finale" featuring Velma & Roxie, "Chicago" scores big-time. The choreography, costume & set designs are all terrific, giving the film the look and feel it's rightly deserves.

With the high-profile success of "Moulin Rogue" in 2001, "Chicago" is likely to follow in the same footsteps, and hopefully this will continue a trend in Hollywood to bring back "the musical" - with the same love & attention that has obviously gone into making "Chicago". I highly recommend this film. You're guaranteed a enjoyable & entertaining night at the movies..... with a smile on your dial, a tune in your head, and a spring in your step ....... go and treat yourself ..... you know you want to.......