Chicago (2002)

Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.

Director:

Rob Marshall

Writers:

Bill Condon (screenplay), Bob Fosse (book)

Stars:

Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere

Won 6 Oscars. Another 51 wins & 129 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	...	Harrison
Rob Smith	...	Newspaper Photographer
Sean Wayne Doyle	...	Reporter
Steve Behal	...	Prison Clerk
Robbie Rox	...	Prison Guard
Chita Rivera	...	Nickie

Storyline

Murderesses Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) (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:

prison | newspaper | bad girl | based on stage musical | jazz age | 

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Taglines:

With the right song and dance, you can get away with murder.

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie marks the second time Richard Gere played a smarmy, fame-hungry attorney based in Chicago, Illinois. The first was in Primal Fear (1996) as Marty Vail.

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Goofs

During the Roxie Hart song, right after she sings "who says murders not an art" Roxie walks past a line of mirrors. Halfway through the shot the camera crew is visible in the refection just to the right of Roxie.

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Quotes

Roxie: [singing] I can't stand that sap.
Amos: What a sap I was.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Alternate Versions

The musical number "Class," featuring Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones, was deleted from the final version of the film. However, it was recut into the movie for a brief, extremely limited theatrical re-release in the summer of 2003. It then appeared on DVD as a bonus feature, but was NOT intercut there.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008)

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Soundtracks

When You're Good to Mama
(1975)
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Performed by Queen Latifah
Published by Unichappell Music, Inc. (BMI)

User Reviews

~Rob Marshell's Masterpiece!~

I saw Chicago with my sister yesterday and we were hoping that he movie as going to be fun. We were fulfilled to the fullest. The movie Lavishly well done, energetic and fun to listen to, Chicago is easily on the top 10 best musicals ever. The music in the movie, the rhythm just utterly spellbinding, that's how incredible Chicago is. The movie mostly benefits from it extremely talented cast. Catherine Zeta-Jones shines in Chicago and gives the performance of her lifetime. She well-deserved her Oscar. John C. Rielly, Renee Zellwegger and Queen Latifa deserved their Oscar Nominations.

The cinematography, sound, art directions, and especially the costume design they were all expertly done. I resisting the urge to dance and tap my shoe. What an amazing production it took to create this film. Everyone deserved their Oscar Wins or nominations whomever took part in the production. 1920s Chicago comes alive in breathtaking detail. Everyone whom likes musicals or music should definitely have a listen and watch Chicago.

Rob Marshell truly out did himself in this masterpiece. 10/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Germany Canada UK

Language:

English Hungarian

Release Date:

24 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chicago: The Musical

Filming Locations:

Danforth Music Hall - 147 Danforth Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,074,929, 29 December 2002

Gross USA:

$170,687,518

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$306,776,732

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Producers Circle, Storyline Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS DTS (Digital DTS Sound)

Color:

Color Black and White (mock newsreel)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1