Chicago Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two fame-hungry murderesses use song and dance to convince everyone they’re innocent while a slick lawyer razzles and dazzles the jury.

🍿 Chicago: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Roxie’s Dream and Fred’s Betrayal

Roxie Hart, a housewife in 1920s Chicago, dreams of becoming a famous vaudeville star. She’s having an affair with Fred Casely, who promises to introduce her to someone who can make her a star. However, after their tryst, Fred confesses he has no connections and was only using her.

The Murder and Cook County Jail

Enraged by Fred’s betrayal, Roxie shoots and kills him. She initially convinces her husband, Amos, to take the blame. But when the police reveal the victim’s identity, Amos recants his story, leading to Roxie’s arrest and imprisonment in Cook County Jail. There, she meets Matron ‘Mama’ Morton and other murderesses.

The Rivalry and Media Manipulation

In jail, Roxie encounters Velma Kelly, a famous performer also accused of murder. They become rivals, competing for media attention. Roxie hires Velma’s lawyer, Billy Flynn, who manipulates the press, turning Roxie into a sympathetic celebrity. Her newfound fame overshadows Velma, intensifying their rivalry.

Pregnancy and the Trial

When a new murderess arrives, Roxie’s fame wanes. To regain attention, she falsely claims to be pregnant. Her trial becomes a media circus, with Billy Flynn using sensationalism to sway the public. However, Velma attempts to sabotage Roxie’s defense by presenting incriminating diary entries.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger): A naive and fame-hungry housewife who commits murder and manipulates the media to become a celebrity.
• Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones): A seasoned vaudeville performer who murders her husband and sister and fiercely competes with Roxie for fame.
• Billy Flynn (Richard Gere): A slick and unscrupulous lawyer who uses media manipulation to win cases and gain notoriety.
• Amos Hart (John C. Reilly): Roxie’s kind but oblivious and long-suffering husband who is easily manipulated.
• Matron Mama Morton (Queen Latifah): The corrupt and opportunistic matron of the women’s prison who profits from the inmates’ situations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Velma Kelly: “All that jazz.” – The opening line of the movie and title of the iconic song, introducing the decadent and dangerous world of Chicago.
• Billy Flynn: “Give ’em the old razzle dazzle; Razzle dazzle ’em; Back since the days of old testament; A showman couldn’t sell it; The crowd would never buy it; Unless he mixed in a little bit of razzle dazzle.” – Billy explains his strategy of distracting the jury and the public from the truth with spectacle and showmanship.
• Matron Mama Morton: “When you’re good to Mama, Mama’s good to you.” – Mama Morton’s motto, illustrating the transactional nature of relationships within the prison.
• Amos Hart: “Nobody knows, nobody sees; Nobody knows but me, I’m Mr. Cellophane.” – Amos’s lament about feeling invisible and unappreciated, highlighting his meek and overlooked nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $170,687,518
• Worldwide Gross: $306,777,366

💥 Chicago Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Chicago’! The music is infectious, and the performances are top-notch. Catherine Zeta-Jones is incredible as Velma Kelly. The ‘Cell Block Tango’ scene is worth the price of admission alone. I love how the film blends the musical numbers seamlessly into the story, creating a unique and captivating viewing experience. It had me tapping my feet and singing along the entire time!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of movie musicals”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with a satirical edge”
  • “People who enjoy strong female leads and complex characters”
  • “Those who appreciate high-energy song and dance numbers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes (murder, adultery)”
  • “Suggestive dance sequences”
  • “Brief violence”
  • “Implied sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A dazzling adaptation of the Broadway hit, ‘Chicago’ is a vibrant and stylish musical with stellar performances from its leads. The choreography is captivating, and the story’s satire on fame and justice remains as relevant as ever. It’s a must-see for any musical fan.
• The New York Times: “Rob Marshall’s ‘Chicago’ brings a fresh energy to the classic musical. Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones shine as the dueling murderesses, and Richard Gere is perfectly cast as the charmingly corrupt lawyer. The film cleverly balances its dark themes with infectious musical numbers.
• Rolling Stone: “A scintillating and bold take on the stage classic. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere all deliver amazing performances. The dance numbers sizzle with energy, and the story’s satirical edge is as sharp as ever.

Audience Reactions

The musical numbers are visually stunning and incredibly energetic.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s vibrant choreography and memorable songs.

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ performance as Velma Kelly is a standout.: Many cite Zeta-Jones’ performance as a highlight, praising her singing, dancing, and acting skills.

Overall Consensus: ‘Chicago’ is a highly entertaining and visually stunning musical adaptation. The film’s infectious energy, memorable songs, and strong performances have made it a fan favorite and a critical success.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Picture)- 2003
2. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 2003
3. Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)- 2003
4. Golden Globe (Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)- 2003

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chita Rivera, who played Velma Kelly in the original 1975 Broadway production of “Chicago,” makes a cameo appearance as a woman smoking a cigarette in the prison scene introducing Mama Morton.”
• “Director Rob Marshall is a choreographer by trade, which contributed to the film’s authentic and sizzling staging of the musical numbers.”
• “The musical number ‘Class’, featuring Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones, was deleted from the final version of the film but later re-added for a limited theatrical re-release and appeared on DVD as a bonus feature.”

🖥️ How to Watch Chicago?

Chicago is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or streaming options. You can also find physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Chicago, you might like these similar films:

• Cabaret (1972): Both films explore dark themes through musical numbers, with cynical commentary on society and morality.
• Moulin Rouge! (2001): Features a similar blend of music, romance, and spectacle, with a tragic love story set against a vibrant backdrop.
• The Producers (2005): Satirical dark humour and bold musical numbers.
• Guys and Dolls (1955): Classic musical with memorable songs and dance numbers. Similar in that it offers a stylized view of a specific subculture.

🛒 Chicago Related Products

• Chicago (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic of the movie with the complete soundtrack, featuring all the iconic songs performed by the cast. A must-have for any fan of the film and musical theatre.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Chicago – Roxie Hart: Add a touch of razzle-dazzle to your collection with this Funko Pop! figure of Roxie Hart. This stylized figure captures Roxie’s iconic look from the film, making it a perfect addition to any fan’s shelf.
• Chicago: The Musical – Script and Songbook: Dive deeper into the world of Chicago with this script and songbook. Perfect for fans interested in the behind-the-scenes details and for those who want to perform the songs themselves.
• Razzle Dazzle ‘Em: The Chicago Musical Board Game: Step into the world of Chicago with this themed strategy game. Compete against friends and family in this fun and engaging experience based on the movie and musical.

🎧 Soundtrack

Chicago features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All That Jazz” – performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Taye Diggs
• “Cell Block Tango” – performed by Various Artists
• “Roxie” – performed by Renée Zellweger
• “Mr. Cellophane” – performed by John C. Reilly

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This scene won an oscar (We Both Reached for the Gun) | Chicago | CLIP

Check out this clip from the movie ‘Chicago’ that won an Oscar. It’s a powerful and intense scene and it’s no wonder it was recognized by the Academy.

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