The Ruthless World of Celebrity

In our last class, we finished watching Rob Marshall's Chicago (2002). To be completely honest, I had higher expectations for the ending and felt that it seriously lacked depth. As I stated in my previous blog post, a major theme of this screenplay is the power of the media and how it manipulates the public's perception. We left off at Roxie's solo number, as she basked in her new-found celebrity. With her new popularity, Roxie became extremely arrogant and pompous, even going as far as to question the judgment of Billy, who made her  a star in the first place. Roxie received a stern reality check when Kitty Baxter was introduced. Violent and remorseless, Baxter shot both her boyfriend and his paramours in cold blood. She immediately captures the attention of the media, leaving Roxie angry and horrified. Roxie received her second reality check when the Hungarian inmate, Hunyak, was hanged. Ironically, Hunyak was the only inmate who asserted her innocence until the end.

Subsequently, Roxie faked a pregnancy to get back into the media's sympathies. During her trial, Billy skillfully tore down the prosecution, discredited witnesses, planted evidence, and even staged a fake reunion between Roxie and Amos. When Velma came forward during the trial with Roxie's incriminating journal entries, Billy discredited the evidence, claiming that the prosecuting attorney was the one who planted the evidence. Flynn was able to get both Roxie and Velma acquitted.

Roxie is excited by the new prospect of her new fame until a woman shoots her husband right outside the courthouse, leaving her in the dust. Following the trial, Roxie struggles to become famous, getting turned down time after time. Eventually, Roxie meets back up with an equally struggling Velma. Through substantial convincing, Velma and Roxie join together to form their own act. At the end of the movie, Roxie and Velma perform "Nowawdays /Hot-Honey Rag" and receive a standing ovation from the media and crowd.

In all honesty, I didn't care for the ending because I felt like there was no character growth. Roxie was still weak, shallow, and attention-starved at the end. She manipulated her husband, Amos, who stood by her loyally. Why should she get what she wanted at the end? I guess that's how the world works. But I can't pretend that I think it is okay.