Chicago (2002)

Set in 1924 Chicago, a stage struck housewife (Renee Zellweger) stuck in an unhappy marriage is having an affair with a furniture salesman (Dominic West). But when he gets tired of her, she kills him with a gun. But in prison, she finds the celebrity denied her on the outside. Based on the 1975 Broadway musical which was revived again in 1996 and went on to become one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history (still running with almost 7,500 performances as I write this) and directed by Rob Marshall. This cynical and dark musical went on to win the Oscar for best film. The original production was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse and Fosse's stamp is all over the film's choreography. Director Marshall, who also did the choreography, was smart enough not to mess with perfection. The John Kander and Fred Ebb songs are a joy and Marshall's staging of them is very good. That is, when he doesn't get carried away with his editing shears but his stylized staging works wonderfully for the most part. With Catherine Zeta Jones in her Oscar winning performance, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu, Colm Feore and Chita Rivera.