Movie: Chicago

Release Date: December 27, 2002

Director: Rob Marshall

Starring: Rene Zellwegger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu, Colm Feore, Dominic West

Personal History: Watched Before

Rating: 10 Oscars out of 10

If you don’t like the movie ‘Chicago,’ we just can’t be friends. Period.

No, not period, exclamation point!

‘Chicago’ was a part of my 365 Movie Day Challenge back in 2020 where it was ranked my fifty-first all time favorite and most influential movie of all time. It is the highest ranking for any movie released over the past twenty years. IUf that list is ever re-visited (and it will be revisited) there is a definite chance that it will creep up even higher. It’s just that good, and for me, it keeps getting better.

As per usual, I could go on and on about how much I adore ‘Chicago.’ But I have already done that. And I don’t think I can quite match what I already said about the movie. So here is what I wrote about it three years ago as part of that movie challenge.

From A Movie a Day Keeps the Doctor Away November 11, 2020:

In 2001, I went to New York City for a weekend to catch a few Broadway shows. One of those shows happened to be “Chicago.” I was very familiar with the revival of this Bob Fosse classic as I had owned the recording of it since it was released in 1996. In fact, I was more than familiar with it, I was obsessed. Thankfully the show had a long run, currently the second longest running Broadway show of all time behind “The Phantom of the Opera.” I did not get to see the original cast of the revival, missing out on seeing Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Joel Grey and James Naughton, but I did get to see Jennifer Holliday in the role of Mama Morton. The show lived up to all of the hype and has remained one of my favorite musicals of all time.

When I heard they were making a film version, I was both excited and perplexed. As much as the show was a fantastical musical experience, the plot was quite flimsy and I wasn’t sure it would translate to the big screen successfully. I couldn’t have been more wrong. ‘Chicago,’ stunningly directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall, was released in December of 2002. It won huge critical acclaim and became a worldwide box office success. It was not only nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, winning six including Best Picture, but it was also credited with the re-emergence of the musical film genre of the 21st century. Being a huge fan of musicals, especially this one, I went opening weekend.

‘Chicago’ floored me. What Rob Marshall accomplished with the material’s transcendence from stage to the big screen was nothing short of miraculous. The sets, costumes, lighting and the phenomenal cast all attributed to one of the best theatrical experiences of my entire life. After the “Cell Block Tango” scene, I actually stood up and applauded. It was that good. In fact, it was more than good, it was flawless. Mr. Marshall and team were able to take a simple, almost non-existent plot and create a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery to a whole new level. It was simply astounding. As the credits rolled, I gave the movie a standing ovation. I wasn’t alone.

The movie was talked about by me for weeks, even months, after I had seen it. I just couldn’t get enough of it and listened to both the movie soundtrack and the revival Broadway soundtrack over and over again during my commute to and from work. I was obsessed all over again. I made sure to tell everyone about the film, especially my mom. I inherit my love for Broadway musicals from her and I knew that she would adore the movie as much as I did. Her and my dad had already seen a tour of the Broadway show and loved it, so there was no twisting her arm when convincing her to see the film. She did and absolutely loved it. She bought the movie on DVD as soon as it became available, as did I, making the movie a part of our collections for life.

‘Chicago’ remains one of my favorite Academy Award Best Picture winners of all time. It often gets listed as one of the worst Best Picture winners, and I just don’t understand that thinking. (Those people must not have see ‘Crash’ or ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ clearly the worst two winners within recent years.) But as I often say, art is both objective and subjective. One man’s treasure is another man’s trash. ‘Chicago’ was definitely a treasure for me and one that I have watched over and over throughout the years. It never gets old and always makes me smile and even to this day, applaud after certain scenes. It’s just that good.

I will be honest, I did not applaud today when watching ‘Chicago’ alone in my living room. My son was sleeping upstairs and I was feeling generous. However, I did get chills during three numbers and definitely wanted to stand up and cheer. The movie is still as entertaining as it was the first time I saw it almost eighteen years ago.

Rob Marshall is a genius. His direction and choreography in this film are simply incredible. The cast he got to work with are no slouches either. Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C, Reilly, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore and Christine Beranski are all brilliant. He didn’t get as much attention as the leading ladies in the film, but Mr. Gere is outstanding as Billy Flynn. He is charming, sexy and smarmy all rolled into one tap dancing fiend. It really is a role that he devoured and one that I enjoy watching all of the time.

‘Chicago’ is a brilliant comedy musical that must be seen to be appreciated. It is a spectacle, but its themes are still very relevant. It is difficult to watch “Razzle Dazzle” and not think of our current political situation. “Give them the old three ring circus” indeed. I love being entertained and schooled at the same time. The ideas of fame, celebrity and corruption are not new, but they have never been as entertaining as they are here. I highly recommend visiting (or re-visiting) this movie as well as checking out a tour of the staged show when we finally escape these COVID times. Both are well worth your time and money.