by Peter Morris in Los Angeles
Could the musical be making a comeback? Following on from the success of Moulin Rouge last year this film version of the smash hit stage musical "Chicago" certainly makes a good case in favour of that theory.
Director Rob Marshalls debut has already garnered Golden Globe awards for RICHARD GERE ( Best actor in a Musical or Comedy) and RENE ZELLWEGER ( Best Actress) and Best Picture (musical or comedy) as well as nominations for supporting actors CATHERINE ZETA -JONES, QUEEN LATIFAH and JOHN C.REILLY, Best Screenplay - Bill Condon and Best Director - and you can put money on the fact that those names will appear in several other nomination lists between now and the Oscars in March.
Although the story is set in Chicago in the 20s the subject matter - the press and public‘s obsession with celebrity , what constitutes fame and how fleeting it can be - is more than relevant today. Richard Gere as the Windy City‘s, tap dancing, celebrity lawyer could happily sit beside his modern day counterparts who represented OJ Simpson. And when you throw in quality supporting actors like LUCY LIU ("Charlies Angels", "Ally McBeal"), Taye Diggs ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back") and Broadway veteran Christine Baranski ( The Guru, "Bulworth", "The Birdcage") in the minor roles you know the level of performance is top notch.
At the screening I saw the audience applauded the songs during the film as if it was a live performance and it has made its way onto more than fifty American Top ten movies of the Year lists- in my opinion justifiably!
UK Release: 17th January 2003
Celebrities Worldwide Rating: 8 out of 10
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
