Short Stories, Irish literature, Classics, Modern Fiction, Contemporary Literary Fiction, The Japanese Novel, Post Colonial Asian Fiction, The Legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and quality Historical Novels are Among my Interests








Sunday, February 11, 2024

Chicago - A 2002 Movie Musical Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, and Richard Gere - Directed by Rob Marshall





Big Bang Fans, Look for Leonard's mother!

The film, directed by Rob Marshall, dives into the roaring 1920s of Chicago, a time of jazz, flappers, and a fascination with celebrity. In this bustling backdrop, we meet Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), a housewife with dreams of stardom, and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a vaudeville star fallen from grace. Both find themselves incarcerated for murder, vying for the spotlight and acquittal through the help of charming lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). As they navigate the corrupt criminal justice system and manipulate the media for their own gains, the film exposes the dark side of fame and the power 




"Chicago" was a critical and commercial triumph, lauded for its dazzling visuals, catchy musical numbers, and sharp social commentary. It garnered numerous accolades, including:

Six Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
Three Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Renée Zellweger), and Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

Two BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Memorable Elements:

Music and Choreography: The film features iconic musical numbers like "Cell Block Tango," "Razzle Dazzle," and "We Both Reached for the Gun," choreographed in true Bob Fosse style with sharp, energetic movements. The music, composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb, seamlessly blends into the narrative and drives the story forward.

Performances: The film boasts powerhouse performances from its lead cast. Renée Zellweger brings a captivating blend of naivety and ambition to Roxie, while Catherine Zeta-Jones oozes charisma and cynicism as Velma. Richard Gere is equally compelling as the smooth-talking, manipulative Billy Flynn.

Social Commentary: "Chicago" cleverly uses its Jazz Age setting and musical format to explore timeless themes of media manipulation, the pursuit of fame, and the corruption of the justice system.


1 comment:

Buried In Print said...

I've seen this one a few times: so good!

Did you know it was filmed in Toronto?
https://projects.thestar.com/filmed-in-toronto/