Chicago (film)
Directed by Rob Marshall
Produced by Martin Richards
Screenplay by Bill Condon
Based on Chicago
by Bob Fosse
Fred Ebb
Chicago
by Maurine Dallas Watkins
Chicago is a 2002 American musical crime comedy-drama film based on the stage-musical of the same name. It explores the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age. The film stars Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. Chicago centers on Roxie Hart (Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) two murderesses who find themselves in jail together awaiting trial in 1920s Chicago. Roxie, a housewife, and Velma, a vaudevillian, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.
The film marks the theatrical directorial debut of Rob Marshall, who also choreographed the film, and was adapted by screenwriter Bill Condon, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Critically lauded, Chicago won six Academy Awards in 2003, including Best Picture, the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! in 1968.
Cast
Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, a housewife who aspires to be a vaudevillian, and is arrested for the murder of her deceitful lover.Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, a showgirl who is arrested for the murders of her husband, Charlie, and her sister, Veronica.Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, a duplicitous, greedy, smooth-talking lawyer who turns his clients into celebrities to gain public support for them. Music superstar Michael Jackson was at one point considered for the role.Queen Latifah as Matron “Mama” Morton, the corrupt but nurturing matron of the Cook County Jail.John C. Reilly as Amos Hart, Roxie’s naive, simple-minded but devoted husband.Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine, a sensationalist reporter.Taye Diggs as The Bandleader, a shadowy, mystical master of ceremonies who introduces each song.Colm Feore as Martin Harrison, the prosecutor in both Roxie and Velma’s court cases.Lucy Liu as Kitty “Go To Hell Kitty” Baxter, a millionaire heiress who briefly outshines Velma and Roxie when she kills her husband and his two mistresses.Dominic West as Fred Casely, Roxie’s deceitful lover and murder victim.Mýa as Mona, a prisoner on Murderess’ Row who killed her artist boyfriend after discovering he had multiple affairs.Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. Borusewicz, the Harts’ neighbor from across the hall.Chita Rivera as Nicky, a prostitute. Rivera originated the role of Velma Kelly in the Broadway musical Chicago in 1975; her appearance in the film is a cameo.Susan Misner as Liz, a prisoner on Murderess’ Row who killed her husband after he wouldn’t stop popping his gum.Denise Faye as Annie, a prisoner on Murderess’ Row who killed her boyfriend after discovering he was a Mormon with multiple wives.Deidre Goodwin as June, a prisoner on Murderess’ Row who killed her husband after he accused her of having an affair.Ekaterina Chtchelkanova as Katalin Helinszki, a Hungarian prisoner on Murderess’ Row who insists she is innocent, and does not speak English except for two words: “not guilty”; she is hanged.
Musical numbers
Main article: Chicago: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture”Overture / All That Jazz” – Velma, Company”Funny Honey” – Roxie And Amos”When You’re Good to Mama” – Mama”Cell Block Tango” – Velma, Cell Block Girls”All I Care About” – Billy, Chorus Girls”We Both Reached for the Gun” – Billy, Roxie, Mary, Reporters”Roxie” – Roxie, Chorus Boys”I Can’t Do It Alone” – Velma”Mister Cellophane” – Amos”Razzle Dazzle” – Billy, Company”Class” – Velma and Mama (cut from film; included in DVD and 2005 broadcast premiere on NBC)”A Tap Dance” – Billy”Nowadays” – Roxie”Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag” – Roxie, Velma”I Move On” – Roxie and Velma (over the end credits)”All That Jazz (reprise)” – Velma, Company
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