By Sara Kaplow (December 29, 2002)

I don’t care if you don’t like musicals. Go see Chicago. 

Perhaps I am a little biased, having been raised on musicals. However, Miramax’s Chicago, taken from the long-running Broadway show, can be appreciated by all audiences. The movie, which features an unusual cast of non-Broadway actors and actresses, is now playing at select theatres, and should soon be appearing at all theatres nationwide.

The story is set in Chicago (obviously) in the 1920s and centers on a young woman with a dream; the young accused murderess Roxie Hart, played by Renee Zellweger. Roxie’s dream of becoming a Vaudeville star has already taken a backseat to her marriage to the ever-faithful Amos, which is further harmed when she is accused of murdering her lover.

The majority of the movie takes the audience into Roxie’s prison life and all the scheming that goes on between her and her lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). They pull stunts to get Roxie into the Chicago papers, but famous jazz singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is after the same thing: enough press to get herself out of jail. 

Of course, it is a musical, so singing and dancing is cleverly spliced into the action of the movie. Incorporating the club setting of the music is really what makes the movie better than seeing a live show. And the fact that the actors in the movie are just that, actors, and not natural singers, does not hinder the show at all. All three major stars spent hours learning how to sing and dance, and they pull off their roles marvelously. 

Other notable, yet brief, appearances in the move include Lucy Liu and R&B singer Mya, as well as Queen Latifa as the jailhouse matron known as "Mama." 

The dancing, as well as the music, was incredible for a major motion picture, particularly considering that musicals have been out of style for decades. Unlike last year’s Moulin Rouge, which featured remakes of contemporary hit songs, all of the music is true to the original show, and not watered down for the film. 

The costumes are particularly impressive, including the elaborate show costumes for the club scenes and 20’s styles for the rest of the scenes. Zeta-Jones’s flapper bob and Zellweger’s equally dated hairstyles add to the entire presentation and style of the film, and accented the exceptional acting by all of the cast. 

While many people may not be accustomed to the energy and flair of musicals, particularly movie musicals, this is still a must-see film. It is captivating and entertaining from the start, and will leave you dancing in your seats to the well-known tune, "All That Jazz." 

Unfortunately, for the time being the movie is only being shown in two theatres in the area, the Shirlington Cineplex Odeon and a theatre in D.C. However it should soon be showing in all theatres, making it easily accessible for all, including those not willing to travel far for a good old-fashioned Broadway musical.
 

Chicago is a true pleasure from beginning to end. Even without knowing the plot or the songs in the show, one can enjoy its energy and flair. While one does not get the feeling of being in the audience of an actual staged show, viewers do become ensnared in the plot and the music. All in all, it is an extremely well done show, which remains true to the original scrip while at the same time appealing to an audience of non-theatre buffs.