Manipulating Her Way Into the Public's Heart

The screenplay, Chicago, directed by Rob Marshall is by far one my favorite films we have watched in class. From the vibrant, flashing lights to the powerful musical numbers to the strong female characters, I am extremely impressed by this film! The film takes place in a bustling 1920s Chicago full of jazz music, flapper hair-cuts, and a vibrant sense of social freedom.

In the beginning musical number, we meet the two main female characters: Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Prior to her performance, we see a frazzled Velma lock herself into her dressing room and frantically wash blood off her hands. We are introduced to Roxie as she watches Velma's  sultry burlesque performance in a reverential trance.  During Velma's performance, the police arrive, but the viewer doesn't see what happens next. The plot picks up pace when Roxie goes home with her secret lover, Fred Casely. In the aftermath of their coupling after Roxie inquires about his promise to help her become a star, Fred coldly rejects her. Furious at his betrayal, Roxie shoots Fred in cold blood.

Following Fred's murder, Roxie is sent to a women's prison, where she is unprepared for meager meals and a cold jail cell. In my favorite musical number so far, The Cell Block Tango, the female inmates, dressed in scanty black leotards, all tell their stories. Each story involves the woman killing their significant other, all of whom are men. We meet Velma again, who reveals that she shot both her husband and sister after catching them in a compromising position

In this film, Roxie and Velma have an interesting relationship. Roxie idolizes Velma and longs to be a famous performer like her. Velma rejects Roxie's attention and views her as sort of a weakling. Plus, Velma's too preoccupied by the media attention she is gathering, as she is being represented by Defense Attorney,  Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). Out of all of the women he has represented in court, Flynn has never lost a case. Due to the extremely violent nature of the crime, Roxie is set to do the maximum sentence. With the help of her blindly loyal husband, Amos (John C Reilly),  Roxie is able to get Billy Flynn to represent her.

This film is not just about jazz music, burlesque dancing, or even murder. It highlights the power of creating an image and using it to influence the way people think. The first thing that Billy does with Roxie is formulate a fake background story. Roxie Hart is transformed into a simple, mild-tempered country girl who had to defend herself against a violent lover. She puts her hair into little blond curls. Places light blush on cheeks. She stands with a smile and nods her head as Billy speaks in front of the flashing lights and moving pens of journalists. The musical number in which Billy was a ventriloquist and Roxie was his puppet, complemented the nature of their relationship.

Overnight Roxie becomes a media sensation, as shown through her jail cell filled with flowers, gifts, love notes, and various newspaper articles praising her. You can sense Velma's jealously as the attention that she once received has been shifted towards Roxie. I am curious about how this film will progress. Will the public continue to be swayed by Roxie's good-girl image? Or, will they see the truth?