Chicago' Lives Up To It's Hype

By Greg Dew
Columbus Wired Columnist
2/19/03

Talk about a movie with timing! “Chicago”, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name is a sexy, star-studded celebration of a once dying genre, the film musical.

The film chronicles the rise in celebrity of Roxie Hart, played by Renee Zellweger, the star-eyed beauty who commits a crime of passion when her dreams of a better life seems to be coming to an end. While in prison, she comes into contact with nightclub star Velma Kelley, played by Catherine Keta-Jones, and lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Richard Gere. Flynn, driven to help by his undying love of money, puts representing Kelley on the backburner to create a media circus to get Hart acquitted and earn him a paycheck and enhance his reputation.

Hart’s rise in stardom, despite being a complete nobody, is utterly believable in today’s entertainment climate of “reality” television. Hordes of reporters follow her trial, her press conferences and her dress as if she were the star Kelley is. Hart eventually becomes more popular than Kelley as the papers report on the truths spouted by Flynn, although the reality is the fiber of a web of lies.

Acted in real time, the introduction of characters, their past and their dreams are told through song and dance. The number "Cell Block Tango (He Had It Comin')" tells the story of 6 of the inmates, including Kelley and a woman who is the only innocent character we meet.

The character, though minor, draws home the drama of the fictional moment and of our current societal debates. Hart realizes the potential outcome if her case fails as we witness what is called the first execution of a female
inmate in Illinois history. The scene gains added effect as the movie was released almost simultaneously as outgoing Illinois Governor George Ryan commuted the sentences of all death row inmates. The movie and the act raise the question, how are people sentenced and is even one wrong killing justified when looking at the big picture? Are sentences influenced by such factors of race, economic and social standings? The film leaves society to continue this debate.

Zellweger’s performance should be able to move her into the higher tax bracket of a true Hollywood star. The hope of life, pain of rejection and icy drive to succeed are fully realized through her facial expressions and choreographed dance.

Taking a supporting role only helped to brighten Jones’ already shining star. Her performance as Kelley exudes the sex, arrogance and glamour we expect out of our stars. Jones would have stolen the show if not for the equally show-stopping performance of Zellweger.

Unfortunately, Gere was unable to follow suite. To be fair, there probably is little Gere could have done to put forth a better performance. His acting was standard Gere-fare and Flynn’s slimy lawyer comes across as despicable. Yet, the part also calls for Gere to participate in some song and dance, a performance that was just plain painful to watch.

“Chicago” is a visually spectacular film that is well acted, choreographed and written. It pushes the audience to question society’s obsession with fame and shines light into the capital punishment debate. The movie succeeds because it is able to combine all of the above without losing its light, entertaining flair.