I finally saw Chicago on DVD... but hey, better late than never.
In my opinion, the fact that this won a bunch of Academy Awards (including Best Picture) is the most effective indictment of Hollywood I can think of... but I digress.
If I hadn't been planning on reviewing this film, I would have turned it off about 15 minutes in. I was sitting there wondering who exactly I'm supposed to be rooting for... Roxie (Renée Zellweger)? That was the closest person I could come up with and she surely did not fit the bill. I mean at first, sure... wide-eyed newbie to the big city trying to make it in show biz (never heard that story before), shoots abusive guy who just wanted to get down her pants.
Ah, but then... her clueless husband taking the rap thinking she shot a burglar. As he sits there confessing, her mind wanders off to a musical stage version of what's happpening in front of her, with her as the star (of course). Nevermind that her husband is throwing himself on a grenade for her. He soon figures out she was sleeping with the guy and Roxie accuses him of being unfaithful.
She goes to jail and finds herself at the bottom of the totem pole. Hires famous lawyer (Richard Gere), gets famous in the papers, then treats Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones) the same way she (Roxie) was treated, which was rotten, when the tables are turned.
Just a really likeable character.
Her husband tries to support her by paying for the lawyer and thinking that he is the father of her child even though they hadn't had sex in many more months than would have made the math work out. Throughout this every single thing that happens is turned into a selfish fantasy on her part.
Article comments
1 - Kurt Nordstrom
I'm surprised there can be a review of Chicago that doesn't mention the supporting role played by Queen Latifah. I loved that musical number she did as she's explaining how things work in the jail.
2 - smenkharon
I agree with your assessment of this movie, although I did enjoy the performances of Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The academy did acknowledge a movie that glorified pedophiles-Capturing the Friedmans was nominated last year for Best Documentary. It attempted to cast a shadow of doubt over the actions of two CONFESSED child molesters!
3 - Vic
Granted, Latifah gave a good performance, but the overall content and presentation of the film left me cold.
As to Capturing the Friedmans... nice. Well, if they'll give a best documentary award to a Michael Moore film, why not nominate a film like the one you mentioned?
I'm really fed up with the Oscars. Next year may be the first year I don't watch it.
Vic