Chicago is a 2002 film directed by Rob Marshall, based on the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name. The film stars Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. The film is a satire of the criminal justice system and the concept of "celebrity criminals." It won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film was praised for its performances, direction, and choreography.
plot
The film follows the story of Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger), a chorus dancer who murders her lover, Jerry Gore (played by Richard Gere), after he tries to leave her. She is sentenced to death and ends up on death row, where she meets another murderer, Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones), who killed her husband and sister-in-law. Both women hire the same lawyer, Billy Flynn (played by John Krasinski), who turns their cases into a media circus.
The film is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the World's Fair being built in Chicago. Roxie Hart is a small-time singer and dancer who dreams of making it big. When she finds her man, Jerry Gore, cheating on her, she kills him in a fit of rage. After being arrested, she hires the sleazy and cynical Billy Flynn to represent her in court. He uses his charm and persuasive skills to turn the trial into a media spectacle, which ultimately results in Roxie's acquittal
Meanwhile, Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star, also murders her husband and sister-in-law after finding them together. She too hires Billy Flynn to represent her in court. The lawyer uses the same tactics to turn Velma's trial into a media spectacle, but she is convicted and sentenced to death.
The film explores the concept of fame and the way the media sensationalizes crime. It also highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system, as both Roxie and Velma are treated differently due to their celebrity status.
Cast
Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart
Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly
Richard Gere as Billy Flynn
Queen Latifah as Matron "Mama" Morton
John C. Reilly as Amos Hart
Lucy Liu as Kitty Baxter
Taye Diggs as Bandleader
Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine
Here is the information you requested, presented in bullet format:Writer: Bill Condon (screenplay), Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb (book), Maurine Dallas Watkins (play)
Director: Rob Marshall
Box office gross: $306.8 million
Distributor: Miramax Films
Genre: Musical, black comedy, crime
Release date: December 10, 2002
Themes & Reception
The film Chicago (2002) is known for its unique combination of the theme of murder with music within the film. It continues the reinvention of the musical genre and is noted for breaking down musical theatre conventions. The story unfolds on a multiple-purpose set as a sequence of vaudeville turns, with the traditional pit orchestra replaced by a jazz band perched high above the action. The production was also praised for its choreography, which sharpened the aesthetic of Bob Fosse's work.
Settings, Visual Styles & Techniques
The film's setting is a stylized and glamorous portrayal of 1920s Chicago. The visual style and techniques are influenced by vaudeville and jazz, with the story unfolding as a sequence of vaudeville turns. The film features important dance sequences by director-choreographer Bob Fosse, and the choreography sharpens the aesthetic of his work. The use of a jazz band instead of a traditional pit orchestra and the unique set design contribute to the film's distinctive visual style.
Trivia
- The film Chicago (2002) was produced and distributed by Miramax Films.
- The legacy of Ann Reinking, who carried on the choreographic legacy of Bob Fosse, is a significant aspect of the film's production and reception.
Fun Fact
The film Chicago (2002) is a unique and innovative musical that combines the theme of murder with music within the film. It broke down musical theatre conventions and reinvented the musical genre, with a distinctive visual style and choreography that sharpened the aesthetic of Bob Fosse's work. The legacy of Ann Reinking and the use of a jazz band and multiple-purpose set were notable aspects of the film's production and reception.