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Prepare to be razzle-dazzled when you see CHICAGO.
As the world's most avid fan of movie musicals
(you can look it up), I'm ecstatic about the
success of this dynamic film. It's the first
musical to win the Best Picture Academy Award
since OLIVER, way back in the sixties. Is it
better than last year's ultra-romantic MOULIN
ROUGE? No. But Catherine Zeta-Jones emerges as a
force of nature in the role of Velma Kelly, a
glamorous vaudeville performer who's sent to
prison on a murder charge. She sings, dances, acts
up a storm - and all that jazz. If she hadn't won
the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, it would
have been the worst Academy oversight since Judy
Garland's snub for A STAR IS BORN.
Other highlights of this popular film based on the
award-winning musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and
Bob Fosse, include: Queen Latifah, as the crooked
prison matron, belting out "When You Take Care of
Momma;" John C. Reilly, as a gullible husband,
warbling a poignant "Mr. Cellophane;" and the
incredibly well-choreographed "Cell Block Tango"
number. What doesn't work so well is the casting
of Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, the flashy lawyer,
and Renee Zellweger as his star-struck client,
Roxie Hart. Gere hams it up too much, and
Zellweger is out of her element in musical numbers
with the terrific Zeta-Jones.
CHICAGO takes us back to the Windy City of 1929.
Adventure and opportunity beckon Roxie (Zellweger),
who dreams of becoming a celebrated performer like
Velma (Zeta-Jones). Fate steps in - putting the
two women together in prison at the same time -
and sets the stage for bitter rivalry over the
attentions of their legendary lawyer (Gere).
Intrigue, fame, love and betrayal are explored
here in song and satire. Don't miss this exciting
Oscar-winning film!
However, if you did miss CHICAGO on the big
screen, check it out on VHS or DVD (available from
Miramax Home Entertainment on August 19, 2003).
And, even if you've seen the theatrical release,
the DVD is worth a look-see. It contains a full
slate of fascinating bonus materials including
Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah performing a number
("Class") deleted from the film, informative
commentaries by director Rob Marshall and
screenwriter Bob Condon, and a special
behind-the-scenes featurette. (Rated "PG-13" for
sexual content and dialogue, violence and thematic
elements. DVD bonus features not rated.)
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