The movie, Chicago (2002), directed by Rob Marshall, is by far one of the more interesting movies I've ever watched, especially in Metro's Film Studies class. I say this because it's really a game-changer for me as far as musicals go. Typically I find musicals to be irritating, but something about the way they come into play in this movie really makes it entertaining. I have heard both this point of view and the opposite around the classroom.
One observation I've made thus far is that the musical numbers begin usually to introduce specific characters. I've also found that the main character really imagines important, potentially life changing, events as these musical show-like numbers. It's almost as though her passion for performance clouds her judgement. This is also shown when she murders the furniture salesman for lying to her about her career.
Symbolism in this movie is very important, as well as the use of lighting. For example, every time the main character is living in her realm of fantasy, she has an audience, but only an audience of mannequin-like figures. I believe this shows very well that it is not in fact real. Often, as well, the lighting only shows her in almost an infinity of darkness around her as she performs. Maybe this could represent the depths of her mind.
I look forward to viewing the rest of this movie and finding out just what it is that happens to the main character as she lives through her stay at "Murderers' Row." I wonder if her husband comes back into her life, and I wonder if there's any interaction between her and the man she killed's family.
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