Catherine Zeta-Jones, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah

Everyone loves a legend--but in Chicago, there's only room for one. Velma Kelly burns in the spotlight as a nightclub sensation. When she shoots her philandering husband, she lands on Chicago's famed ...( read more  read more... )murderess row, retains Chicago's slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn, and becomes the center of the town's most notorious murder case--only increasing her celebrity. Roxie Hart, seduced by the city's promise of style and adventure, dreams of singing and dancing her way to stardom. When Roxie's abusive lover tries to walk out on her, she too ends up in prison. The ambitious Billy recognizes another made-for-tabloids story, and postpones Velma's court date to take on Roxie's case. Infamy is Roxie's ticket to stardom. Billy turns her crime of passion into celebrity headlines, and in this town, where murder is a form of entertainment, she becomes a bona fide star--much to Velma's chagrin. As Roxie fashions herself out to be America's latest sweetheart, Velma has more than a few surprises in store for her. Tensions climax as the two women stop at nothing to outdo each other in their obsessive pursuit of fame and celebrity.

Flixster Users

80% liked it

409,805 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

206 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Rob Marshall

Release Date: December 27, 2002

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

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Stats: 22,798 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (22,798)


  • October 31, 2007
    Funny & visually dazzling. Brilliant performances from the all-star cast.
  • October 14, 2009
    disturbing morality and off dance numbers combined with a mostly miscast group in key roles makes for a decent but highly overrated musical. moulin rouge deserves the credit this film gets for rebirthing the musical genre after a dark period.
  • September 21, 2009
    I much preferred seeing this in the theatre, I found it lost a certain something in its transference into film and was an undeserving Oscar winner!
  • September 18, 2009
    Brassy and entertaining, but sort of an empty delight at the end of it all. I immensely admire the technical wizardry and actorly flair that oozes from Chicago but musicals are really just not my thing. And I dunno, the 20s flapper era strikes me as so simple. I think to an inter...( read more)ested party, this would be the absolute Holy Grail, as the whole affair is arguably faultless within its own little warped world (except Richard Gere, he sucks so bad, make him go awayyyy). I would be remiss to deny that I liked the movie - of course I did. Renee Zellweger falling down and awkwardly declaring a pregnancy, and Catherine Zeta-Jones' reaction, were movie magic.

    The music is accessible and well-done; Cell Block Tango is stunning, CZJ is solid gold, and you can't help but fall in love with Queen Latifah after Be Good to Mama. And seriously, who the hell would have expected that voice coming out of John C. Reilly? Amazing. Everything about this movie, right down to the costume and set design, is crafted with utmost cinematic love. Rob Marshall has created a beautiful paean to an art form that clearly means the world to him. I won't seek fault in it to justify my personal feelings, but simply admit that it isn't a movie for me.
  • May 25, 2009
    Got to love all that Jazz! Great casting for this one.
  • November 13, 2009
    Rene Zwiggelwiggel is really good in this.
  • November 13, 2009
    The only rewarding thing, is that everyone REALLY sings in this film.
  • November 8, 2009
    drama musical ! cool! the musics is great also the dances.
  • November 5, 2009
    The music is so jazzy! *jazz hands
  • November 5, 2009
    Esta es la prueba definitiva de que NO ME GUSTAN LOS MUSICALES!

Critic Reviews


January 9, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Leggy Zeta-Jones is so hot in the 'All That Jazz' number, she's flammable. And Zellweger defines delicious. full review

December 29, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

Rob Marshall's film of Chicago isn't just the most explosively entertaining movie musical in a couple of decades. It's going to be the most influential. full review

December 27, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Overall, Chicago earns that highest of praises -- I can't wait to see it again. full review

December 27, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Chicago is everything a musical is supposed to be, with good songs sung by people who sing well, and with lots of sexy dances featuring women who are gorgeous and men who don't get in the way. full review

December 27, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Big, brassy fun. full review

December 27, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Chicago is sophisticated, brash, sardonic, completely joyful in its execution. full review

December 26, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The movie is appealing, thanks to the cleverness of the Kander-Ebb songs and the enthusiasm of the performances, but it lacks any urgency or erotic spark. full review

View more Chicago reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • michellefortuin
    July 17, 2009
    The only things I liked in Chicago are Catherine Zeta-Jones and a few of the songs. Seriously, I don't understand why this movie has wun 6 Oscars?! When I was watching Chicago I found Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere both annoying, and the film was a little too long. Catherine was great as Velma Kelly, I didn't know she was such a good singer and dancer!

    Of course I could see that making Chicago took a lot of work, time and money but still I didn't like it at all.
  • GEREMYsv
    May 26, 2009
    All actors impressed me with their performances as singers and dancers. The movie has an alert course and there isn't death times.
  • grotesqueboy
    August 29, 2008
    I'm not sure how many times have I watched "Chicago", really can't remember. And everytime I do, it feels like first time seeing it. "Chicago" is all-time favorite movie... Dancing, singing, acting, just perfect. Catherine's voice is just perfect, but I think Queen should won the Oscar. She won't have Oscar worth role in a long time, I think she gave her best in this one. For me... Perfet and... all that jazzzz...
  • pavacri23
    July 19, 2008
    one of the greatest movie musical ever made and i don't like musicals
  • retrowave
    December 31, 2007
    it is simply adorable
  • ldraeger
    November 1, 2007
    I remeber this movie winning a bunch of grammy awards a long time ago and now I know why.

    It's officially my favorite movie of all time.
  • bubbletape94
    July 20, 2007
    Sexy... and beautiful! Best Movie Ever MADE
  • horseyhann
    June 26, 2007
    ooh la la
  • ladyshavanna
    April 8, 2007
    me encanta chicago la pelicula y czj :)
  • mochafrappe
    April 4, 2007
    This is the BEST movie I've EVER SEEN! It is beautifully done and it takes place kind of a long time ago but it's hipper and cooler than any modern-day musical I've seen.

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Chicago Trivia


  • This actress has been stuck in Traffic and at The Terminal. She can be seen hanging out in Chicago and is a friend to Zorro. Who is she?   Answer »
  • quote: 'I don't mean to toot my own horn, but if Jesus Christ lived in Chicago today, and he had come to me and he had five thousand dollars, let's just say things would have turned out differently. '   Answer »
  • Richard Gere sang and danced his way to a Golden Globe musical/comedy award with this movie.   Answer »
  • Who did Catherine Zeta Jones play in the movie "Chicago"?  Answer »

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