[Quick Summary: Told through fantasy and actual sequences, Roxie Hart is jailed and put on trial for murdering her lover.]
TWO THINGS I LIKED:
1) I like that the filmmakers clearly thought about how to take advantage of film's strengths vs. just replicating the stage musical.
ex. Film switches easily between fantasy, reality, points of view, different locations.
2) I liked that the theme of "life is a stage" is very clear, even between fantasy and actual sequences. The scene below is a good example of how the flow works.
NOTE:
- Roxie desperately wants to be a stage star like Velma, for the stage to be her life.
- Roxie's case has replaced Velma as the latest headline of the week. Now Roxie is being replaced by Mary Sunshine.
- How do we know Roxie is being replaced? A visual that represents how it feels, i.e., "ROXIE" sign going dark.
- Roxie fakes a pregnancy = She makes life a stage
INT. "STAGE" - NIGHT
On the stage, the "ROXIE" sign goes dark.
INT. COOK COUNTY JAIL - DAY
Velma steps up to Roxie.
VELMA: How's it feel, kid?
She holds up the morning papers, which are filled with stories about the Lakeshore Drive Massacre.
VELMA: J. Edgar Hoover couldn't find your name in the papers.
She drops the papers in Roxie's hand and starts off. Roxie gives a sudden shriek and crumbles in a faint. She moans, with eyes closed, then lifts her head a little to call out:
ROXIE: Mr. Flynn? Miss Sunshine?
She faints again. The reporters make a beeline for Roxie. Mary Sunshine peers down at her through the open bars.
MARY SUNSHINE: What is it, dear?
Billy turns to a guard, gestures grandly for the cameras.
BILLY: Someone unlock that door immediately.
ROXIE (wan and sweet): Oh, don't worry about...me. I just hope the fall didn't hurt the baby!
MATRON: Baby!
Roxie nods solemnly.
VELMA: Shit.
Roxie and Velma exchange looks. Flashbulbs pop and peppy MUSIC plays ("Me and My Baby")...
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Despite a high amount of razzle dazzle, I never was lost because the theme keeps the script grounded.
This is always about life and stage imitating each other.
Chicago (2002)
by Bill Condon
Based on the musical play "Chicago"
Book of the musical play by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb
Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins
No comments:
Post a Comment