Chicago (2002)

There are reasons that I have missed out on watching certain films over the years and that is because I am not crazy about musicals. Usually, I will avoid them at all costs unless there is a reason for me to watch, but for today I needed to know what was the big deal behind the 2002 film adaptation of the Broadway hit Chicago which was directed Rob Marshall (Into The Woods). The film stars Renée Zellweger (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation) as Roxie Hart, a girl that has been dreaming about hitting the stage ever since she made it to Chicago. The only problem for Roxie is the guy who she is hooking up had promised her a shot at the stage, but when she finds out he lied she ends up killing the guy. Now, Roxie has to rely on a hot shot lawyer and a few tricks up her sleeve to hope that she can get off before she's hanged for her crime. The film also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (The Mask Of Zorro) as Velma Kelly, Richard Gere (Primal Fear) as Billy Flynn, Queen Latifah (Taxi) as Matron Mama Morton, Dominic West (Rock Star) as Fred Casely, Taye Diggs (Set It Up) as bandleader, John C. Reilly (The Little Hours) as Amos Hart, Colm Feore (The Chronicles Of Riddick) as Harrison, and Chita Rivera (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Club Hearts Band) as Nickie.

One of the things that I loved most about this film is the way they handled the Broadway like musical numbers in between the more serious parts of the film. Every time Roxie would dream or daydream during the film is when they would go into the musical numbers and I loved that because they felt like daydreams because as soon as you snap out of it, it's back to the lonely existence we all live sometimes. It also shows how obsessed she is with wanting to be a singer on stage that it almost seems as if she is writing out her own story as she daydreams and sings along. I honestly think knowing that made the film more tolerable, but if I am being perfectly honest with you, it was actually a pretty enjoyable film about how if you can't get famous then be infamous like the tag line suggests. The film shows you how desperate some people will be just to be infamous because they feel they need love and attention constantly by others that they will go to certain lengths. I thought the acting overall in the film was quite well, but the star of this one is none other than Richard Gere who just steals the show every time he steps out on screen as the hot shot lawyer and in one of my favorite scenes as the puppet master. If you like musicals or you're kind of on the fence about it, then this is definitely one to watch because it's actually a pretty good story, the talent is obviously in this film, and it's enjoyable to watch as well. That is why I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade because it won six Oscars for a reason (Best Picture, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best supporting actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones).