Chicago -- Movie Version
I must admit to being pleasantly surprised. After having seen the trailer, I didn't give the movie much chance.
However, I was proven wrong. I am here assuming that all actors/actresses did the bulk of the dancing and singing
themselves. If I'm wrong about that, please correct me ;D.
I found the characters even less tangible than in the stage version; that is, they were two-dimensional and
had no character development. I had thought it would be possible to at least do that in a movie, having close-ups
and such to work with.
However, Catherine Zeta-Jones was brilliant, both in terms of movement and singing. She performed Velma convincingly,
with that raunchy touch and all the sexiness necessary. "All that Jazz" was a good number, and I especially liked how
she tried to convince Roxy (in prison) that they should start a double-act. Might sound odd, but her heavy breathing
while/after her singing/dancing served to make the scene more tangible and real.
Renee Zellweger was not my thing. She did a good job on her show numbers, but in the 'quiet' moments, she failed to convince
me. I wouldn't fault her as much as the script on this though, as her wavering between innocently naive and calculating
was well performed. It didn't fit Roxy as I'd seen her previously though. One of the things that struck me the most,
was the weakness, the crying. It seemed strangely out of place. The rendition of the "he loves me, this honey...hubby
of mine" was lovely, until the very end, when Roxy seemed to lose control in a very childish fit of rage that failed
to convince me of anything but her petulance.
Richard Gere, like Sean Connery in the 'Avengers', needs new teeth. By that I mean that he was lisping and hissing,
especially noticeable while singing. He didn't convey the seriousness (even if it is shabby seriousness) of Billy
to me, I was decidedly unimpressed by "All I care about is Love" (I did *NOT* need to see Gere strip. It felt out
of place, was bordering on embarrassing, and the song really only served to show off scantily clad women). I also
didn't much care for "Razzle Dazzle", which had been convincingly staged in London, with little embellishment, but
much more style.
Mr. Hart and Ms. Sunshine were bright spots, I especially found Mr. Hart's solo brilliantly done, the shabbiness of the
space, the dust dancing in the light, as well as the singing was beautifully carried out and at least gave this character
some fleshing out. Mama Morton was very well done too, Queen Latifah had the presence, and definitely the voice for it.
She wasn't as cold as I would have liked, and I was more than a little unhappy that "Class" (sung by Mama and Velma as
they sit together) had been cut, since the number would have been lovely with the two actresses in question.
I'm now coming to the thing that was my biggest complaint. The actual cut of the movie. The pace was too fast,
especially in the opening number (All that Jazz) and sometimes in between, mostly for the dance numbers. Having changed
the choreography substantially (at least it seemed like that to me) to replace the sleek, exact movements of Bob Fosse
with more glamorous moves, I would at least have preferred *seeing* the dancers. That worked well enough in the "Cell
Block Tango" -- another one of those pieces I considered to be superbly done (the red, for the Hungarian white handkerchiefs
they pulled out), much like the Hungarian's death scene (applause as she does her 'act', stark reality: would like you more
if you were hanged.) it was evocative, strong and well-paced -- however, in many other numbers there was a video clip
mentality that threw me off.
Right at the beginning, as Velma goes to the theatre, the bustle backstage worked fine, but later on, quick changes in
perspective were too fast to do anything but give me a headache. The worst scene was right at the end, where Velma and
Roxy perform together. That wall behind them irritated my eyes, made it hard to see their actual movements, and, all
in all, took much of the power of the scene out of it.
The film was enjoyable, definitely so, but I don't feel like seeing it again. I prefer the stage version, for all that
it's pretty bare and cool compared to a film set, however, the advantage of it lies in being able to see the choreography,
concentrate on the singers, and enjoy the band without any 'razzle dazzle' and quick cuts to disturb the enjoyment.
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.