Release Date: December 27th, 2002 (Limited Release), January 3rd, 2003 (Wide Release)

Based Upon: Chicago the movie is the long-awaited film adaptation of Bob Fosse's 1975 Broadway musical, which welcomed a 1990's revival tour. Chicago notoriously went without a single Tony Award, when its 11 nominations were beat in every category by a sweep for A Chorus Line. (YUCK, by the way. No offense.)

Bob Fosse (1927-1987) was the film director of Cabaret, Lenny, All That Jazz (GOOD MOVIE!), Sweet Charity, and his last film, Star 80, in addition to being a celebrated stage choreographer, producer, and playwright. His long-time wife (as well as Chicago and Sweet Charity star), Gwen Verdon, died in October of 2000. Fortuitously Chicago's greatness was finally acknowledged 10 years after Fosse's death when the 1997 revival won six Tonys.

Also based upon: Fosse's musical Chicago was itself based upon a 1926 dramatic play written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a Chicago Tribune reporter, which was in actuality inspired by reported factual events.

Filming: Production started on December 10th, 2001 in Toronto, and wrapped in early May of 2002.

Budget: Reported to be roughly $30 million.

Tagline: If you can't be famous, be infamous!

Plot: "Fame hungry Roxie Hart dreams of a life on the Vaudeville stage, and spends her nights jazzing it up in the bright lights of Chicago, continually hoping that she'll find her lucky break, and be shot into 1920's stardom, so able to flee her boring husband Amos.

      In awe of seductive club singer Velma Kelly (who is subsequently arrested for the murder of her husband and sister - after discovering their affair), Roxie meets Fred Casely a man who convinces her he can make her show biz career take off. However after Roxie has undergone the 'casting couch' treatment, and Fred has had his wicked way with her, he reveals that he has no more connections in show business than she does. This is the final straw for Roxie, and her constant anger at rejection explodes. She shoots Fred Casely and kills him.

      Upon discovering her infidelity, Roxie's husband Amos refuses to take the blame for the murder and Roxie is sent to jail, pending hanging. In jail she finally meets tabloid darling Velma Kelly, currently receiving huge media attention for the double murder she committed earlier in the tale. Sharing the clink with Velma, are a collection of other sly females, all awaiting trial for the murders of their own partners.

      Velma is aloof to Roxie, however the prison Warden Ms. 'Mama' Morton offers Roxie the opportunity of representation by slick Chicago lawyer Billy Flynn. Billy is more a show biz P. R agent than a legal lawyer and manipulates the tabloids into thinking Roxie is no more than an innocent 'good time girl' who took the wrong path, than a scheming murderess. The tabloids go crazy for the new girl on the cellblock, and Roxie finally becomes a star.

      However due to Roxie's newfound fame, Velma is soon forgotten. She is forced to approach Roxie with an offer of a part in her Vaudeville act (filling the gap left by her murdered sister Veronica), but Roxie turns down her offer flat, thinking she needs no support in topping the bill. However, just as Velma's star fell, so does Roxie's, when Go-to-hell Kitty arrives at the jail on a charge of triple homicide. But with one more trick up her sleeve, Roxie manages to bring the media attention back onto her, and her day in court arrives. Billy is now ready to play the ultimate showman!"