I had to check and re-check to make sure I was correct on this; I could’ve sworn that Chicago had not won Best Picture. It did win back in 2002 but I kept thinking otherwise – surely this was wrong?
As I’m sure everyone and their dog knows, Chicago is based on the popular musical of the same name. It’s not an awful film. In fact, when I initially saw it, I really liked it. A second viewing, however, doesn’t feel very fresh and got stale pretty quickly, but for the musical genre Chicago is pretty good.
The one problem I always had with the movie was that it felt oddly cast. Catherine Zeta-Jones was a pretty good Velma, but I didn’t like Renee Zellweger much as Roxie, nor did I feel Richard Gere was particularly outstanding in his role. Even John C. Reilly felt a little out of place and that feels odd to write down.
It certainly wasn’t better the second time around and I found myself marveling that, yes, this movie did win Best Picture. It’s certainly well handled, especially since I think taking something from the stage to the screen can be more than a little tricky and even trickier when it’s a musical. To be fair, the musical numbers are done well and the rest of the film is not poor by any standards.
The problem is that when I sat down to really think about what Chicago had achieved, I wasn’t feeling very impressed. I keep coming back to the fact that the movie was pretty good. Chicago is not great, not excellent, just a little bit above the rest of the flock.
Who else was nominated in 2002 for Best Picture?
- Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Gangs of New York
- The Hours
- The Pianist
I’m flummoxed. I have to be honest – I have little to no idea what Academy members have in their heads when they vote, nor do I intend to start speculating. If you compare this movie with The Pianist, for example, The Pianist comes out on top easily. Adrien Brody really did a fantastic job in that movie and it was all-around great, as opposed to being just pretty good.
Why Chicago won, I don’t know.
I do know, however, that Renee Zellweger’s face must un-squint itself, since you can barely see her eyes anymore from all the face-scrunching. Renee, you gotta stop doing that, because watching your movies nowadays makes my face hurt for you.
I haven’t watched Chicago in forever! You know how much I love musical movies, but I have to admit, this one is not my favorite. I think it might be partially because of the Renee face-scrunching that you mentioned.
I think it might be partially because of the Renee face-scrunching that you mentioned.
Yeah, and I think the fact that Catherine Zeta-Jones goes heavy on the smugness doesn’t help either, really.
Renee Zellweger’s never really bothered me…not sure why. For all intents and pruposes, she should. That being said, she rules in TCM: The Next Generation.
Catherine Zeta-Jones however, has got to go. I honestly can’t remember the last time she didn’t go heavy on the smugness. It’s her schtick and it drives me insane.
Okay, so…other than that…I haven’t seen Chicago. I’m sure it’s a wonderful film though.
This is CZJ one and only good performance. I’ll never forgive her, Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, John Cusack, Hank Azaria or Stanley Tucci, and Joe Roth for putting me through America’s Sweethearts. It even left a bad taste in my mouth about the girl I was dating at the time, who I’d seen it with.
Everytime I see any of those names attached to something I know it’s a movie I’ll hate.
And let’s not forget CZJ cannot act. But in this, she sold it. She was playing herself.
This is CZJ one and only good performance. I’ll never forgive her, Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, John Cusack, Hank Azaria or Stanley Tucci, and Joe Roth for putting me through America’s Sweethearts
I’m not awfully fond of her myself. I tend to just ignore her; one of the many reasons why I hate Ocean’s 12 is because of her.
Wait…you willingly sat through America’s Sweethearts? Not even my John Cusack love has allowed me to endure that.
It even left a bad taste in my mouth about the girl I was dating at the time, who I’d seen it with.
Ooh, this is exactly how I felt about Big Fish and an ex. I still hate that movie. Stupid Billy Crudup.
And nice burn on CZJ there. Hee. The thing I always remember her for is not her acting, but the fact that Kathy Griffin calls her “Michael Douglas’ child bride”.
It’s her schtick and it drives me insane.
andrew, YES. I think I just unconsciously avoid her movies. You might not want to watch Chicago then; it’s the ultimate Catherine Zeta Jones smugfest.
Confession: I really like this movie. Who do I like the most in it? Queen Latifah. But CZJ was good in it too. Richard Gere pisses me off, ugh, hate him and his little rat face. The Renee face-scrunching annoyed me too.
But I like The Hours the most out of the Best Pic nominees for ‘02, followed by Chicago, the Pianist, then LOTR, and finally Gangs of New York.
Richard Gere pisses me off, ugh, hate him and his little rat face.
I don’t blame you. After Pretty Woman, my dislike – it was sealed.
But I like The Hours the most out of the Best Pic nominees for ‘02, followed by Chicago, the Pianist, then LOTR, and finally Gangs of New York.
I have vague memories of The Hours only, but I would’ve put Chicago dead last. There’s just something distinctly un-Best-Picture about it.
And I thought Queen Latifah stood out; that was about it.
Nicole Kidman’s nose won an Oscar in the Hours. Charlize Theron’s skin in Monster. And Halle Berry’s vagina in Monster’s Ball.
Anyone can win an Oscar. They’re a total sham.
Anyone can win an Oscar. They’re a total sham.
I agree. Every year I’m pissed that they gave someone an Oscar I can’t stand. (Daniel Day-Lewis, please stand up for your kick in the shins.)
Is that how Halle Berry’s Oscar is inscribed, then?
Well, she dedicated it to Wong Pin, her bikini waxer.
Well, she dedicated it to Wong Pin, her bikini waxer.
You’re awful, but I do like you. Heh.