Chicago (2002 film)

This article is about the 2002 film. For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation).

Chicago
File:Chicagopostercast.jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rob Marshall
Written by	Maurine Dallas Watkins Bob Fosse Fred Ebb Bill Condon
Produced by	Bob Weinstein Harvey Weinstein Craig Zadan Marty Richards
Starring	Renée Zellweger Catherine Zeta-Jones Richard Gere John C. Reilly Queen Latifah Taye Diggs Lucy Liu
Cinematography	Dion Beebe
Edited by	Martin Walsh
Music by	John Kander Danny Elfman
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release dates	June 27, 2002 (limited) January 24, 2003 (wide)
Running time	113 min.
Countries
Languages	English Hungarian
Budget	$45 million
Box office	$306,776,732

Chicago is a 2002 musical film released by Miramax Films. First released in limited cities on June 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, Colm Feore, and Mýa.

Plot

Chicago, mid 1920s. Naïve Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) visits a nightclub where star Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) performs, in hopes that her (Roxie's) boyfriend Fred Casely will get her a gig as a vaudeville star. Velma is arrested after the show for murdering her adulterous husband as he slept with her sister Veronica. After Roxie realizes that Fred won't help her break into showbusiness, she kills him in a fit of rage and tries to make her simple-minded husband Amos (John C. Reilly) take the fall. However, the police see through her ruse and Roxie is arrested and sent to Cook County Jail.

Once Roxie arrives and is booked, she is sent to Murderess' Row to await trial, under the care of the corrupt Matron "Mama" Morton (Queen Latifah), who supplies her girls with cigarettes and other materials if she's paid well enough. Roxie meets Velma in jail as the woman in charge, and learns the stories behind the other women in Murderess' Row. Roxie decides that she wants Velma's lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to get her off, and convinces her husband to talk to him. Billy decides to take Roxie's case and get her off by making her a star.

Flynn and Roxie manipulate the press at a press conference, reinventing Roxie's identity to make Chicago fall in love with her. Roxie becomes the new infamous celebrity of the Cook County Jail, much to Velma's horror and Mama's delight. Velma, desperate to get back into the limelight, tries to persuade Roxie into opening a vaudeville act with her once they get out of jail. Roxie haughtily refuses and mocks Velma. 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 named Kitty (Lucy Liu) — a wealthy woman who killed her husband and both of his mistresses — enters the scene.

Roxie manages to steal back attention by claiming to be pregnant, which is falsely confirmed by a doctor who she seduced, much to Amos' delight; however, nobody notices that he even exists. Roxie's trial date approaches, and she and Billy begin to plan their strategy to find her innocent of murder using her star power and sympathy vote. Her trial proceeds and becomes a media spectacle, fed off the sensationalist reports of radio personality Mary Sunshine (Christine Baranski). The trial goes Roxie's way, until Velma shows up with Roxie's diary and, in exchange for amnesty, reads incriminating entries that Roxie claims to never have written. Using some quick talking, Billy manages to get Roxie off the hook and she is proclaimed innocent. However, Roxie's publicity is short lived: as soon as the trial concludes, the public's attention turns quickly to a new murderess. Roxie leaves the courthouse after discovering that Billy wrote the false diary entries, and sent the journal to Velma to get Miss Kelly off death row. Roxie reveals to Amos she faked her pregnancy for the fame.

With nothing left, Roxie once more sets off to find a stage career, with little success. But she is soon approached by Velma, who is willing to revive a two person act with Roxie. Roxie refuses at first, because of the hatred that they share for each other, but relents. The two murderesses, no longer facing jail time, finally become the enormous successes they have been longing to be.

Cast

• Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart
• Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly
• Richard Gere as Billy Flynn
• John C. Reilly as Amos Hart
• Queen Latifah as Matron Mama Morton
• Taye Diggs as Band Leader
• Dominic West as Fred Casely
• Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. Borusewicz
• Colm Feore as Harrison
• Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine
• Mýa as Mona
• Lucy Liu as Kitty Baxter

Production and filming

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 Roxie's fantasies, while scenes shot in "real life" retain a hard-edged realism.

Chicago was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The courthouse was in Osgoode Hall. Other scenes were filmed at Queen's Park, 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. All vocal coaching for the film was led by Toronto-based Elaine Overholt, whom Richard Gere thanked personally during his Golden Globe acceptance speech.

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 6 Academy Awards:

• Best Picture (Martin Richards)
• Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones)
• Best in Film Editing (Martin Walsh)
• Best in Art Direction (John Myhre)
• Best in Costume Design (Colleen Atwood)
• Best in Sound Mixing (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 in Cinematography (Dion Beebe)
• Best Original 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.
• The worldwide gross income of Chicago was $306,403,013, almost twice that of fellow musical Moulin Rouge!.

Songs

Main article: Chicago: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture

1. "All That Jazz" - Velma Kelly & Company (Catherine Zeta-Jones)
2. "Funny Honey" - Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger)
3. "When You're Good to Mama" - Matron "Mama" Morton (Queen Latifah)
4. "Cell Block Tango" - Velma Kelly and Mona (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mýa)
5. "All I Care About" - Billy Flynn (Richard Gere)
6. "We Both Reached for the Gun" - Billy Flynn, Roxie Hart, Mary Sunshine and Reporters (Richard Gere, Renée Zellweger, and Christine Baranski)
7. "Roxie" - Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger)
8. "I Can't Do It Alone" - Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones)
9. "Mister Cellophane" - Amos Hart (John C. Reilly)
10. "Razzle Dazzle" - Billy Flynn & Company (Richard Gere)
11. "Class" - Velma Kelly and Matron "Mama" Morton (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah; 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.)
12. "Nowadays" - Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger)
13. "Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag" - Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly (Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones)
14. "I Move On" - Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly (Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones)

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.

Details

• 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".
• Michelle Pfeiffer was offered the role of "Velma Kelly" but turned it down because she felt the audience was too used to her singing voice.
• Uma Thurman were considered for the role of Roxie, but refused, in order to finish Kill Bill.
• Both singers Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Andrea Corr were strongly considered for the part of Kitty.
• The director had the idea to dress Cameron Diaz as a fat girl, in order that she could play Mamma Morton.
• Madonna were considered for the Mary Sunshine role.

External links

• Miramax Chicago homepage
• Chicago at IMDb
• Chicago at AllMovie
• Chicago at Box Office Mojo

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