From Rob Marshall ("Into the Woods") and Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") arrives this amusing, mocking look at celebrity criminals. Adapted from the 1975 stage production and featuring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. The story unfolds in the jazz age of Chicago, Illinois. "Chicago" follows two women on death row who are hoping that notoriety and wealth will save them from execution. Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) is a vaudeville performer who shoots her sister and husband right before going onstage. Roxie Hart (Zellweger) watches the performance, dreaming of being on stage like Velma. She believes Fred Casely’s (Dominic West) assistance will help her achieve that goal. However, when Casely proves to be an abusive liar and womanizer, Roxie is angered and betrayed, leading her to kill him in revenge. She attempts to get her husband, Amos (John C. Reilly), to accept the blame. But his story doesn’t impress Harrison (Colm Feore) and Roxie finds herself arrested facing a possible death sentence. While incarcerated, she encounters Mama Morton (Queen Latifah), the corrupt but supportive jail matron, who offers guidance on how to sway the court's opinion. Later, Roxie hires Billy Flynn (Gere), a slick lawyer determined to win her case. Billy manipulates the media with a story claiming Roxie killed Fred in self-defense. Simultaneously, she clashes with Velma as the press spotlights her name. Roxie’s fame seems fleeting until she pretends to be pregnant. Now full of herself, she dismisses Billy, believing she can handle the legal proceedings alone. She is then forced to rehire him after witnessing another inmate's scheduled execution. Meanwhile, Amos begins to question whether the baby is his and decides to file for divorce. On the day of the trial, Billy disrupts the courtroom and manages to convince the jury of Roxie’s innocence; Amos discovers the pregnancy was a fabrication and leaves her. Now that Roxie is free, she tries to realize her ambition, but Velma explains that Chicago desires more than just one performer. Roxie declines the offer due to Velma's bitterness and the lack of kindness they experienced while in jail. Ultimately, Velma persuades her that friendship isn’t necessary for a successful partnership. Roxie's dream comes true as she and Velma become the most popular act in Chicago. But one question lingers: did any of this actually happen or is it all a product of Roxie’s imagination? Highly Recommended. The singing and acting are among the finest I have ever witnessed; it certainly deserved those six awards.

Source on TMDB