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West End theater comes to West End cinema |
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With "Moulin Rouge" proving such a success with audiences world-wide, was it any surprise that another musical would tap-dance it's way onto center stage... ? |
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West End theater comes to West End cinema |
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With "Moulin Rouge" proving such a success with audiences world-wide, was it any surprise that another musical would tap-dance it's way onto center stage... ? |
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What's the Plot?
Chicago in the 1920's. A city caught up in the intoxicating mix of jazz, sex...and murder! Star of the moment is Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Originally a crowd-pleasing showgirl, Velma is now known as a murderer - killing her husband and sister after finding them cheating on her. Sent to prison awaiting her fate, it's not long before she's joined by another lime-light seeker - Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger). An aspiring showgirl herself, Roxie's murder of her lover who lied about making her a star is uncovered when her husband, Amos (John C. Reilly) refuses to take the blame for her. Once in prison, Roxie retreats into a fantasy world where everything becomes a musical number with herself the lead. However, this fantasy world cannot disguise the fact that the death sentence is hanging over her and with a little help from the warden, Mama (Queen Letifia), Roxie hires celebrity attorney Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), who also happens to be working for Velma. When Velma is pushed off the front page by Roxie, that's when the trouble really starts!
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The Review So, is Chicago better than Moulin Rouge? Simply put, no! But that's unfair. Whereas Baz Lurnham had no constraints and allowed his imagination to wander over sight and, most successfully sound, first-time director Rob Marshall is slightly confined with a script, and songs that date back to 1975. Lucky though for Marshall, the songs for the stage musical, which are complete and utter toe-tappers, lend themselves excellently to the world of celluloid which is fortunate since any type of musical is only as good as it's songs. For sheer impact, "He Had It Coming" and "They Both Went For The Gun" rise head and shoulders above the rest and that is partly due to the excitement served up by the three main leads who each have a hand in those numbers.
Zeta-Jones - the sexier and stronger out of the entire cast - takes her West End roots and runs riot with all that she's given. From sexy routines to jealous stares at her rival, she chews up the scenery - and her co-stars - so much so that it's a wonder why her role is considered a supporting one. Zellweger, who stands up against her female rival but loses out on the "vamp" category, is surprisingly able to belt out a song despite her stick-insect-like frame. She instead opts for the vulnerable card which effectively counter balances Zeta-Jones' strength and confidence. |
However, the biggest surprise is Gere who not only can sing and dance, but shows a great ability for comedy, especially whilst cross-examining Roxie on the witness stand. Where the movie excels it's stage origins is in it's blending of reality with the fantasy song sequences. As Gere approaches the witness stand, a series of fast edits cut back and forth between him tap-dancing on a stage and simultaneously wowing the judge and jury at the trail. With this technique, it's able to shrug off the confinements of the stage production and bring to the audience all the glitz, all the glamour and all that jazz! So, go see it!
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Copyright © Steve Murphy 2003
