Chicago
Directed by	Rob Marshall
Produced by	Martin Richards
Written by	Maurine Dallas Watkins (play), Bob Fosse (musical), Fred Ebb (musical), Bill Condon
Starring	Catherine Zeta-Jones Renée Zellweger Richard Gere Queen Latifah John C. Reilly Lucy Liu Taye Diggs Colm Feore
Music by	John Kander Fred Ebb Danny Elfman
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release date(s)	December 27, 2002
Running time	113 min.
Language	English
Budget	$45 million [1]
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Chicago is a 2002 American musical film released by Miramax Films. First released in limited cities on December 27, 2002, Chicago opened in wide release on January 24, 2003. An adaptation of the satirical stage musical Chicago, the film explores the themes of celebrity and scandal in Jazz age Chicago. Directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall, and adapted for film by screenwriter Bill Condon, Chicago won six Academy Awards in 2003, including Best Picture. The film was the first musical film to win the Best Picture Oscar since Oliver! (1968).

Chicago centers around Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, two murderesses who find themselves on death row together in 1920s Chicago. Velma, a professional vaudevillian, and Roxie, a housewife with aspirations of being a star, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows. The film stars Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, and Richard Gere, also featuring Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, and Colm Feore.

Synopsis

Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is a vaudeville star whose celebrity is only increased by her double murder of her adulterous husband and her sister, Veronica. Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) is a nobody who dreams of the fame and wealth of a singing career. When she shoots her abusive lover, who lied about his ability to get her a job as a performer, she is sent to murderesses' row. There she meets Velma Kelly. Facing death row, Roxie sends her sad-sack husband, Amos (John C. Reilly), to hire Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), Chicago's most famous and successful defense attorney, who promises to turn her case into a celebrity murder trial and get her acquitted. Flynn and Roxie manipulate the press and the public, and Roxie becomes famous. When Billy recognizes Roxie's potential, Roxie and Velma become locked in a rivalry to outdo each other in stardom. The tables are turned on both ladies, however, when a new killer — a wealthy woman who killed her husband and both of his mistresses — named Kitty (Lucy Liu) enters the scene.

Roxie manages to steal back attention by falsely claiming to be pregnant. Using this lie as well as a 'reformed criminal' story, she enters the courthouse with Billy. Everything goes fine until Velma shows up with Roxie's diary, reading incriminating entries, that Roxie claims to never have written, in exchange for amnesty. Using some quick talking, Billy manages to get Roxie off the hook and she is proclaimed innocent.

Much to Roxie's dismay however, her publicity is short lived as the public's attention turns quickly to a new murderess. Roxie leaves the courthouse after finding out that Billy wrote the false diary entries and sent the journal to Velma to get Miss Kelly off death row. With nothing left, Roxie once more sets off to find a stage career, but has little success. She is approached by Velma who is willing to revive a two person act with Roxie. Although Roxie refuses at first saying that she hates Velma, she ends up agreeing and the act becomes a big hit.

The movie ends with the duo performing their act for a huge audience, including Billy Flynn and Mama Morton, and Roxie happily calls out to everyone "Believe us, we could not have done this without you!"

Production

Chicago was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The courthouse was in Osgoode Hall. Other scenes were filmed at Queen's Park, the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery, Casa Loma, the Elgin Theatre, Union Station, the Canada Life Building, the Danforth Music Hall, and at the Old City Hall.

The film is based on the hit musical Chicago, the original Broadway production of which (in 1975) was not well-received by audiences due to the show's cynical tone. The minimalist 1996 revival was much more successful, however, and the influences of both productions can be seen in the film version. The original production's musical numbers were staged as vaudeville acts, which the movie respects by treating them as asides or interior monologues by the performing characters, while scenes shot in "real life" retain the revival's pared-down flavor.

Cast and characters

Main

• Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, a nobody in the big city dreaming of stardom and willing to do anything to get it.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, a Chicago staple, a singing and dancing sensation and half of the duo The Kelly Sisters and Roxie's idol.
• Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, a big-shot lawyer who is known for making his clients loved by the public.

Supporting

• John C. Reilly as Amos Hart, Roxie's naïve, hard-working, albeit boring spouse.
• Queen Latifah as Matron "Mama" Morton, the matron of Cook County Jail, whose philosophy is "When you're good to Mama, Mama's good to you".
• Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine, the personification of the sensationalist news media.

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards record
1. Best Supporting Actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones
2. Best Art Direction, John Myhre, Gordon Sim
3. Best Costume Design, Colleen Atwood
4. Best Editing, Martin Walsh
5. Best Picture, Martin Richards
6. Best Sound, Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, David Lee
Golden Globe Awards record
1. Best Musical/Comedy Picture
2. Best Musical/Comedy Actor, Richard Gere
3. Best Musical/Comedy Actress, Renée Zellweger
BAFTA Awards record
1. Best Supporting Actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones
2. Best Sound, Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, David Lee, Maurice Schell

Academy Awards

Chicago won six Academy Awards:

• Best Picture (Martin Richards)
• Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones)
• Best Editing (Martin Walsh)
• Best Art Direction (John Myhre)
• Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood)
• Best Sound (Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella and David Lee)

It was nominated for seven others:

• Best Director (Rob Marshall)
• Best Actress (Renée Zellweger)
• Best Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly)
• Best Supporting Actress (Queen Latifah)
• Best Cinematography (Dion Beebe)
• Best Song ("I Move On" by John Kander and Fred Ebb)
• Best Adapted Screenplay (Bill Condon).

Golden Globes

Chicago won three Golden Globe Awards: Best Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Actress in Musical or Comedy (Renée Zellweger), and Best Actor in Musical or Comedy (Richard Gere).

It was nominated for five more: Best Director (Rob Marshall), Best Actress in Musical or Comedy (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly), Best Supporting Actress (Queen Latifah), and Best Screenplay (Bill Condon).

Other

In 2006 this film ranked #12 on the American Film Institute's list of best musicals.

Songs

See also:

• "All That Jazz" - Velma Kelly & Company
• "Funny Honey" - Roxie Hart
• "When You're Good to Mama" - Matron "Mama" Morton
• "Cell Block Tango" -Liz, Annie, June, Katelin Helenscki, Velma Kelly, Mona
• "All I Care About" - Billy Flynn
• "We Both Reached for the Gun" - Billy Flynn, Roxie Hart, Mary Sunshine and Reporters
• "Roxie" - Roxie Hart
• "I Can't Do It Alone" - Velma Kelly
• "Mister Cellophane" - Amos Hart
• "Razzle Dazzle" - Billy Flynn & Company
• "Class" - Velma Kelly and Matron "Mama" Morton**
• This song performed by Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones was filmed, but it was cut from the film. The scene was later included on the DVD release and the film's broadcast television premiere on NBC in 2005, and the song was included on the soundtrack album.
• "Nowadays" - Roxie Hart
• "Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag" - Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly
• "I Move On" - Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly

Sources

The movie is based on the Kander and Ebb Broadway musical, Chicago, which was based on the Maurine Watkins play, Chicago, which was in turn based on the stories of two Jazz-era killers, Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. The film follows a similar plot to William Wellman's 1942 film Roxie Hart, starring Ginger Rogers. It also bears many strong resemblances to Cabaret.

Ultimately, the satiric presentation of a criminal underworld that mirrors the "respectable" world of daily life goes back to The Beggar's Opera.

Trivia

• Anastacia enters in the soundtrack with the song "Love Is A Crime". The song had a video but it was never released as a single, due to the singer's recently announced breast cancer. When Anastacia was shooting the video she had a 40°C(104°F) degree fever.
• Chicago was to have been the next movie project for legendary stage and film choreographer and director Bob Fosse, who directed and choreographed the original Broadway production. Although he died before the film was made, the influence of his distinctive jazz choreography style can be detected throughout the film. In particular, the parallels to Cabaret are numerous and distinct. He is thanked in the movie's credits.
• Chita Rivera, who originated the role of Velma Kelly on Broadway in 1975, makes a cameo appearance as "Nicky."
• Catherine Zeta-Jones began her career in musicals, appearing in the lead role of 42nd Street in London's West End at the age of just seventeen.
• Britney Spears was considered for the role of Kitty, that later went to Lucy Liu. Britney Spears was suggested by the director, but due to heavy schedules Lucy Liu was hired instead.
• Four years before filming began, Madonna announced in a number of interviews she would play Roxie opposite Liza Minnelli as Velma. This version was to be directed by Nicholas Hytner. It is unknown as to why Madonna pulled out.
• John Travolta was originally offered the role of Billy Flynn. Richard Gere played the role instead. It is the third time Gere has had success playing part that was first offered to Travolta, following American Gigolo and An Officer and a Gentleman. Gere was also offered a role that Travolta turned down in Mr. 3000, however Gere turned that role down as well and it ended up going to Bernie Mac.
• Rosie O'Donnell was also considered for the role of Matron "Mama" Morton.
• A 1942 movie called Roxie Hart starred Ginger Rogers as Roxie and Adolphe Menjou as Billy Flynn. The movie followed essentially the same story line as Chicago. The only singing or dancing was done by Rogers.
• Nicole Kidman turned down the part of "Roxie Hart" because she had already starred in the musical Moulin Rouge!, and she didn't want to star in two musicals in a row. She decided to star in The Hours instead.
• Hugh Jackman, who is 19 years younger than Richard Gere, turned down the role of Billy Flynn, feeling that he couldn't handle it. He has stated several times that he regrets doing so.
• Kathy Bates was considered for the role of "Mamma Morton", but Queen Latifah was cast instead.
• Angelina Jolie auditioned for the role of "Velma Kelly", but Catherine Zeta-Jones was cast instead.
• Charlize Theron had originally been cast as "Roxie Hart", but was replaced by Renée Zellweger a few weeks before rehearsals were set to begin.
• Molly Ringwald, Winona Ryder, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, and Marisa Tomei, were all at one point in the running for the role of "Velma Kelly".

External links

• New York Review of Books: Hilton Als' "Girls & Guns"
• Miramax Chicago homepage
• Catherine Zeta-Jones interview

Awards
Preceded by ''A Beautiful Mind	Chicago 2002		Succeeded by ''
Preceded by Moulin Rouge!	Golden Globe: Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy 2002	Succeeded by Lost in Translation

•  • [ e] Academy Award for Best Picture: Winners (2001– )
2001: A Beautiful Mind 2002: Chicago 2003: 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Crash 2006: The Departed