The musical isn't dead, it's just sleeping

CHICAGO is the story of showgirl Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger), who shoots her lover and tries to get her husband Amos (John C Reilly) to cover for her. When she is found out she is locked up under corrupt matron Mama Morton, played superbly by Queen Latifah.

In prison Roxie finds herself up against Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has also been put behind bars for cutting someone’s life short. Richard Gere plays defence attorney, Billy Flynn. Billy knows Roxie is as guilty as Hell, but as the line goes: “Anywhere else it would be a crime, but this is Chicago.”

Renee Zellweger leaves her shy-girl image behind and does a very convincing job of playing Roxie as a not-too-bright blonde. On the other hand, Catherine Zeta-Jones’ more modern look seems more than a little out of place in 1920s Chicago.

Queen Latifah steals the show as Mama Morton, her When You’re Good to Mama is one of the film’s highlights.

Chicago is a gentle reminder that the musical genre is not dead, it’s merely sleeping.

Musical, 15. ****