This movie - based on the musical and play of the same name - was brought to my attention some ten plus years ago, when I performed in a stage production that adapted parts from various (Broadway) musicals. Though I was part of another musical, I got entranced by especially one scene from this musical, that I had to watch the movie for myself.
The scene I'm referring to is Cell Block Tango from Chicago - a 2002 musical black comedy drama crime film - with an intriguing mixture of tango and Jazzy choreography. Their verve and the conviction of their own innocence almost makes one root for the women on murderess' row.
And that's where I start to rethink my stance on this particular story, because where do we draw the line? Yes, back when I had watched the movie, I was entertained and didn't think much of it. It's a fictionalized story of two women (Velma and Roxie) on trial for murder, who are using the justice system and it's weaknesses to their advantage.
They put on an act of femininity, feigning innocence, frailty or blaming the criminal act on having had a blackout, to greatly sway the public's opinion into believing in their innocence, while the audience knows them (or in the least Roxie Hart) to being guilty. Roxie even goes so far to pretends to being pregnant.
Now looking back, I'm going back and forth between knowing that the story is based on the failed justice system of the 1920's (don't get me started on where it fails in present day) and the morality of the storyline. Is the acquittance of murderers due to some technical errors being glorified or should I take it with a grain of salt?
For now my takeaway from this story is, that no justice system is perfect - doesn't matter which time period or region - and that the important thing for me is that I can discern what's right from wrong. If I am able to distinguish those two, what withholds me from enjoying the music, the drama, the choreography that is reminiscent of the flapper era and superb performances of the actresses playing those roles?
