Director: Rob Marshall
Stars: Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Taye Diggs, Christine Baranski, Lucy Liu, Dominic West, Colm Feore, Susan Misner, Chita Rivera, Mya
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 113 minutes

Based on the stage musical of the same name the much-hyped Chicago has finally been released. The film has recently won several Golden Globe Awards, which are considered as the precursors for the Academy Awards. Hollywood musicals aren't normally your standard fare nowadays. How does this measure up to 'classic' Hollywood musicals, such as Singin' In The Rain or Seven Bride For Seven Brothers, or even the likes of Moulin Rouge?

Set in the 1920s, it is a story of jazz, sex and murder. Velma Kelly is arrested for the murder of her husband and sister. She is closely followed by Roxie Hart, a cheating housewife who longs to see her name in lights, after gunning down her lover. With the death sentence hanging over her, she enlists the help of Billy Flynn, who puts her on the road to stardom.

Renee Zellweger gives a strong performance as Roxie Hart. Acting all sweet, innocent and vulnerable, she is able to fairly belt out a tune when the occasion calls for it. Living in her own little dream world, in which every event seems to unfold into a musical number, she wants to emulate the top showgirl, Velma Kelly. Zellweger is unable to stand up against the raw sexuality of Catherine Zeta-Jones, but does bring a slightly different type of glamour to the story.

Zeta-Jones is superb as Velma. She more or less burns up the screen with every appearance, and in many ways outshines Zellweger. Strange then that whilst both actresses were nominated in the same category in the recent Golden Globe Awards, it was her co-star that came out on top.

Richard Gere does a good job too. He is quite funny as the lawyer/spin doctor, Billy Flynn. He realises that the easiest way to get his clients off the hook is to make celebrities out of them. Being impossibly suave, he could almost be accused of parodying the type of character he played in films like Pretty Woman, as he seems to be nicer than nice. I suppose the whole 'lawyer-thing' gives something to really dislike about him.

Of the others in the cast, Queen Latifah is good, in a supporting role, as Mama and her rendition of "When You're Good To Mama" is a highlight. John C. Reilly, who seems to be in everything at the moment (he is currently appearing in both Gangs Of New York and The Good Girl) is good as Roxie's put-upon husband, Amos. His rendition of "Mr Cellophane", is excellent and the sums up his character very well.

Whilst not as good as some of the 'classic' musicals, it's a decent enough film. Chicago has its fair share of recognisable songs, and fans of the original stage version will not be disappointed, although anyone going along and expecting to see something similar to Moulin Rouge will be. This is due mainly to direction.

Rob Marshall, who also did the choreography, keeps it all too stage-like in appearance. I feel that this is a big mistake. The choreography does not have as large a scope as many of Hollywood predecessors. There is nothing as bold as Gene Kelly's splashing about in puddles from Singin' In The Rain, or the stand-off between the rival groups in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. With the type of technology (and budget) available today, there is no real excuse for the director not making it bigger and bolder than he has done. After all, that's what the medium of cinema is all about nowadays.  

Don't get me wrong, this film is enjoyable enough, it will make lots of money at the box office, and may very well garner a few more accolades to go with the Golden Globe Awards it has already received. However, I can't help thinking on what might have been, if the director had been that little bit bolder with his vision.