Chicago Soundtrack CD
Chicago
2003, Miramax.
John Kander/Fred Ebb/Danny Elfman.
Sony, CD, 2003, 5105322
Rating: 
Rob Marshall’s film version of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical about two women on death row who learn to manipulate public opinion to keep themselves from the gallows is an entertaining, if ultimately shallow affair. The visuals are stunning however and this along with the songs keep the film from running out of steam. Bob Fosse’s choreography, (though he died before being able to participate in the movie), brings a striking sexuality to the visuals, though the stage performance contained more edge, and a cold cynicism that runs throughout, which might not be to everyone’s taste. The film soundtrack, with some scoring from Danny Elfman, is primarily a two hour run of songs, with some nice performances from Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah in particular. ‘We Both Reached For The Gun’, in which Gere (Billy Flynn) plays ventriloquist to Zellweger‘s (Roxie Hart) dummy, and ‘Cell Block Tango’ where the girls on death row tell their stories are two of the most striking visual performances in the film, though songs such as ‘Cellophane Man’ (John C. O’Reilly) and ‘When You’re Good To Mama’ (Queen Latifah) are also solid. Danny Elfman’s score plays a minor part which may be a disappointment to fans but fits perfectly well. For those who like their musicals big and brash, ‘Chicago’ pretty much has it all but lacks the depth of Kander and Ebb’s ‘Cabaret’ which has all the show but also much of the substance that ‘Chicago’ sorely lacks.
Chicago Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Overture/And All That Jazz (Catherine Zeta-Jones & Cast)
2. Funny Honey (Renee Zellweger, John C. reilly, Colm Feore)
3. When You’re Good To Mama (Queen Latifah)
4. Cell Block Tango (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Susan Misner, Deidre Goodwin)
5. All I Care About (Richard Gere & Cast)
6. We Both Reached For The Gun (Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger)
7. Roxie (Renee Zellweger)
8. I Can’t Do It Alone (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Taye Diggs)
9. Mister Celophane (John C. Reilly)
10. Razzle Dazzle (Richard Gere & Cast)
11. Class (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah)
12. Nowadays (Renee Zellweger, Taye Diggs)
13. Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag (Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones
14. I Move On (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger)
15. After Midnight (Danny Elfman)
16. Roxie’s Suite (Danny elfman)
17. Cell Block Tango (He Had It Comin’) (Queen Latifah & Lil’ Kim Feat. Macy Gray
18. Love Is A Crime (Anastacia)
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