What an incredible film!

This has got to be what filmmaking is all about!

The sound, production values, choreography, music, acting were all a sheer pleasure!

The audience at the screening I attended loved it. They lingered after the showing to discuss it. Few films have this kind of impact.

Beyond being absolutely entertaining, this film explores the nature of the press and judicial system. It is a statement about how important illusion (smoke and mirrors) is to public perception and judicial outcome. It's both a comical and a disheartening statement.

Chicago is based on an actual historical event, but more, it comes from the ingenious mind of Bob Fosse. For those who know something of his life story know that he was very concerned with issues of death and life. These concerns were connected to his incredible artistic genus. Hence, his work tends to be profound.

In thinking about an approach for this review, I was torn between the celebration of cinematic artistry and the issue of the vulnerability of the press and judicial system. After consideration, I believe the focus for discussion should center around the incredible artist talents this film exhibits. They are enormous.

Brendan Francis once commented, "If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don’t hoard it. Don’t dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke." And this is what Chicago does lavishly!

Thomas La Mance reminds us, "Talent is God-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful." Interestingly, Chicago not only celebrates talent, but it also warms us about the dangers of conceit.

Edgar W. Work warns us that the "real tragedy of life is not in being limited to one talent, but in the failure to use the one talent."

May this film inspire those of us who play down and suppress our talents. May we learn the importance and value of the dance.