Chicago

By Author: Sherry Roberts
Total Articles: 153
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Chicago is a 2002 comedy, crime and musical film that explore the themes of scandals, celebrity, scandal, and corruption. The film stars Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere among other famous actors. The film centers on Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly both of who are accused of murder and later find themselves in jail together awaiting trial. They both fight for fame to keep them from the gallows. One thing that interests me in the film is its musical factor. It combines musical and quality picture to bring out the story line. The movie deserved to win Best Picture award. Since 1969, the film was the first musical to win Best Picture. I also found the Roxie and Velma to be outstanding actors in the film.
The film begins with a nightclub scene where the naive Roxie Hart visits. The space is filled with people dancing to Jazz music. At the stage, dancers entertain the crowd. This is where the star Velma Kelly performs. At this place, Roxie embarks on an affair with Fred Casely believing that it will make her a vaudeville star. The show ends with the arrest of Velma for killing her husband and sister. Roxie becomes too clingy and Fred Casely admits to having lied about his connections. Furious, she shoots him and convinces Amos, her husband to take the blame. Roxie fantasizes singing a song dedicated to Amos as he confesses to the detective. However, the detective brings up evidence that to prove that Roxie had an affair with Fred. The place marks the beginning of Roxie journey.

Another space in the movie is the Murderess' Row that was under the care of Morton, a corrupt Matron. At this place, Roxie and Velma meet. She also learns the stories of the other members of Murderess' Row. Roxie idolizes Velma and attempts to befriend her. She rudely rebuffs her. She decides to engage Velma's lawyer who helps her to manipulate the press at a press conference. The lawyer helps reinvent Roxie's identity as a former virtuous woman. She blames the affair on her husband’s busy working schedule and her desire to reform herself and start a family which made Fred jealous. She becomes an overnight sensation which infuriates Velma. All the attention turns to her. Now Velma attempts to convince Roxie to do a double-act. Roxie snubs her just like Velma originally did. A rivalry is created at this point.
Roxie's fame declines as a wealthy heiress named Kitty Baxter is arrested for killing her husband and his two lovers. The press diverts its attention to Kitty. Roxie pretends to be pregnant and quickly steals back the attention. Amos does not get similar attention. Roxie's fame gives her more confidence and arrogance refusing Flynn's advice to wear modestly during her trial. She even fires him and later re-hires him.

Her trial begins and is extensively covered by the media with the help of the sensationalist reports of radio personality and newspaper reporter. Billy manipulates evidence, discredits witnesses and stages Amos and Roxie’s reunion. Roxie admits that the child is his, and they publicly reconcile. However, Velma appears with Roxie's diary in exchange for amnesty. It is discredited implying that the evidence was planted. Amos is excited to be a father until Roxie reveals her fake pregnancy. Roxie finally becomes a vaudeville actress and stars in a film with Velma.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in 24 hour college papers services. If you need a similar paper you can place your order for a custom research paper from custom nursing essay services.