Review:

Film "Chicago"

By John Frame (26th March 2003) (Rating 9 out of 10)

Chicago (2002) www.miramax.com/chicago/index.html

I went to see Chicago last night at our local 60+ year old Dawn Theatre at Chermside.

It’s a family run business and they struggle to compete with the glitzy nearby megaplexes. They’ve stepped up to surround sound, but the original decor of the Dawn is still there (minus the canvas seats that used to be in the far isle) and the old-world charm seemed to suit this film ideally.

I really enjoyed Chicago - much more than I'd expected and I was very surprised by many aspects of the film.

The music is by the same composers as Cabaret and Chicago and is set in the same era, so it really looks, sounds and feels similar, but with more fantasy – a bit like “Cabaret meets American Beauty”.

Superb visuals, very sharp editing, unquestionably fine performances, a tight connecting script with decidedly dark humour and a rollicking pace.

Chicago is not a romantic musical fantasy, but rather slapping-you-round-the-face full bore cinematic entertainment – and deserves every award it received.

I thought Richard Gere was outstanding, in fact perfect - but then the whole cast were so very good. It’s indeed a blessing that the Golden Globes have the extra categories to allow Richard to be specifically honoured for “best male performance in a comedy or musical”, and that the Screen Actors Guild similarly honoured the entire ensemble cast.

Chicago will still have appeal on video or DVD, but at best it will be reminding you of what it was like when you experienced it larger-than-life on the big silver screen.

I recommend you forget the high-back seats and high prices, and go see it at your local suburban theatre – or travel out to the Dawn on Gympie Road at Chermside and support a family for whom dedication to cinema has been their lifeblood.