‘Come on, babe, we’re gonna brush the sky…’
2003 wasn’t a vintage year for the Oscars. Catch Me If You Can – probably the year’s best film – wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture. In its place were the uneven Gangs of New York, the worst Lord of the Rings film and The Hours (a movie that I admittedly have never seen). The other two films making up the shortlist were The Pianist (which probably should have won) and Chicago – the eventual winner. Hollywood sure does love a musical…
Established jazz performer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and rookie performer Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) have little in common aside from the fact that they are both on death row. Experienced and successful lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) takes up their case while Roxie’s hapless husband Amos Hart (John C. Reilly) watches from the side lines.
Now, I’m no expert but surely a musical should stand and fall on its actual songs. Chicago is full of numbers that are visually stunning and technically impressive but ultimately forgettable. This is testament to the fact that despite its Best Picture win, none of these songs have really made their way into the public consciousness.
That being said, there is still plenty here to enjoy. Zellweger is an utter joy as ever and while Zeta-Jones isn’t quite as captivating, she can play glamorous standing on her head. Gere struggles with the singing a little but is great when called upon to do some actual acting. But then this is part of the problem, I know this is a musical, but there are too many songs here. The scenes that take place away from the music are often the most compelling.
In short, Chicago is an impressive film and probably even a good film, but a Best Picture winner? Never.