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You’ll notice that everyone in Cell Block Tango has a red hanky which meant they were guilty where as Hunyak has a white hanky showing her innocence. In those times they wouldn’t have paid for a translator to help her.
Something I think doesn’t get enough kudos is that Catherine Zeta-Jones was also pregnant while doing all this insane, physically demanding choreography. She absolutely killed this role
She actually wasn’t pregnant. She didn’t get pregnant til months after filming. It’s just one of those factoids that gets repeated so much that many fans end up thinking it’s true.
No, she had just been pregnant. Still an amazing feat. I was young, but I remember people being impressed she looked so good after having recently given birth. Seems like the standards are even higher now for pregnant women to look hot just after having a baby. At least for women in the public eye.
@@liteflightify yeah, I don't know why this one gets repeated so much. It's like a game of telephone. I think people remember there being articles and talk on shows that had something to do with her pregnancy so they misremember it as her actually being pregnant
Basically translated, the Hungarian lady says the police accused her (and her lover) of killing her husband, but that it’s not true, she’s not guilty. She’s the only one on death row that was innocent but due to the language barrier she couldn’t defend herself. In the song, she literally just keeps saying, ‘uh, uh, not guilty’.
This was a left-field casting decision that immediately pivoted her from "hip hop artist with some minor acting experience" to "highly respected actress" in a single film
And the original Anita in West Side Story *and* the original Rose Alvarez from Bye Bye Birdie. The term "iconic" is used too easily these days but Chita truly is
Catherine was a musical theatre girl before breaking into Hollywood. So, her being the strongest and most charismatic singer and dancer shouldn’t be a surprise. All the performances are solid, but if anyone from this deserved the Oscar it was her.
Yes, that is Richard Gere's actual voice (and tap-dancing) a lot of people don't know he was in Broadway musicals early in his career. And. the Hungarian woman is innocent -- it's unambiguous as she is the only one in the Cell Block Tango who has a white silk rather than a red one.
Seeing Greg's excitement for Cell Block Tango gave me the chills. It's one of my all time favorite numbers, so seeing other people enjoy it brings me such joy!
The Hungarian woman is innocent. - Her little bit in cell block tango translates to something like “they say I cut off my husbands head but I didn’t do it, I’m innocent, I tried to explain but they don’t understand me” - If you look at the handkerchief she pulls out of her partner during cell block tango, it’s white. It’s the only one out of the six that pulls a white handkerchief instead of a red one. - in the stage show there’s a small scene with her and mama Morton and her lawyer where mama is translating and she says “I think she’s telling the truth” and the lawyer is all like “I get no benefit from her execution! She has to confess!” She’s such a tragic foil to roxie and Velma. Unable to gain sympathy or understanding from anyone simply because she doesn’t speak English.
The only part of her verse in Cell Block Tango that’s in English, aside from “not guilty” is something about Uncle Sam (ie America). IIRC the translation I saw was something like “I don’t know why Uncle Sam is doing this to me” 😢
My favorite number is definitely "Cell Block Tango." The choreography's incredible (and hot), the tango brat is so catchy, and Catherine Zeta Jones just nails it.
25:35 It's important to remember about the "All He Cares About Is Love" song is that it's what Roxy is IMAGINING he'll be like. It has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the reality of him.
The older prisoner who first speaks to Roxie is Chita Rivera, who played the role of Velma Kelly opposite Gwen Verdon (Bob Fosse's ex wife) in the original cast of the musical.
A lot of people mentioned how the white lighting and white hanky symbolized the Hungarian woman was innocent, and her reason was so sad, but I also love the detail that the rest of the women pull out the red hanky from the place or method of how they killed their victims.
What's fascinating about the Hungarian woman is the REASON she's later killed is because she had no recourse; she couldn't even speak English to defend herself, so she was the easiest target for execution even if she was literally the only innocent. So the movie's choice to not translate her was to indicate that her innocence wasn't enough to free her; even if we *know* she's innocent from the symbolism of the white scarf.
Catherine Zeta Jones as Velma Kelly is, imo, the most convincing fictional 'professional performer' played by a professional performer, and a perfect foil to Roxie's 'nothing but ego and air' persona
This movie is SO good. You will love it. And Catherine ZJ was pregnant shooting this. And I always thought the lack of thanslation on that woman in cell block tango is on purpose, no one in the country spoke her language so she couldnt get a lawyer, and even though she was innocent, she got hang. It reinforces all the idea of the spectacle and manipulation of media and lawyers and the justice system. (: every other woman was holding red cloths to represent blood, but she was holding a white cloth, she danced ballet and not tango.
Hadn't she just had her baby? She's carrying post-baby weight but she looks the most appropriate for the time because normal sized women were fashionable and sexy
First musical movie to won Best Picture since Olivier! in 1968. Easily very well deserved, one of the best movie adaptation of a classic Broadway theater show
This remains one of the most clever, well-executed musical-to-film adaptations ever. The way each number exists as its own separate broadway flourish but in tandem with the real life plot as it plays out is so satisfying to watch. Billy Flynn's "We Both Reached for the Gun" is my favorite example of this. Such an unexpectedly entertaining and compelling way to show how a gifted attorney "pulls the strings" in the legal world, particularly in high-profile cases. And ho boy, the frenetic undeniable sex appeal throughout the whole movie can't ever be ignored. First time watching in early adolescence was something else, particularly Cell Block Tango. Hands-down the best song :)
You guys sounded a little worried that you weren't going to vibe with a musical, but this reaction was awesome. I love how much you loved it. You're a testament of how much joy you can get from being open and focusing on the positives.
... in the stage production Mary Sunshine is played by a male in drag, singing countertenor, to surprise the audience and drive home the idea that "not everything is as it seems" ... the role in the movie was lessoned but given to the great Christine Baranski in what I consider a cameo
47:00 yeah uh that's the whole thing. The poor Hungarian lady was actually innocent. Her bit in the Cell Block Tango translates roughly to "What am I doing here? They say my famous lover held down my husband while I chopped off his head. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand me."
Huge credit goes to Bob Fosse who directed and Choreographed the original stage production and is given credit in this movie. His choreography is iconic and they did an amazing job here. Cell Block Tango is the name of the song where the women give their backstory
There is "Cabaret" from 1972 also. Liza Minnelli did great and her singing/dancing .... being the daughter of Judy Garland.... that should not surprise. Hopefully, aspects of the subject would not be a issue. Still a great drama/musical as also a era timepiece set in Berlin of the 1930s also....
@@davidw7 A reaction to CABARET (1972) couldn't be more timely at the present moment. The songwriters for CABARET, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, also wrote the songs for CHICAGO, and the director and choreographer of the film version of CABARET, the late, great Bob Fosse, also directed, choreographed, and co-authored (with Fred Ebb) the "book" (the non-musical part) for the original Broadway stage production of CHICAGO. The movie version of CHICAGO Is very much choreographed in Fosse's style.
I remember being really impressed that Richard Gere did all his own dancing and singing, if I remember correctly. There was an entertainment segment on tv about him training tap dance for the courtroom scene
Richard Gere was so incredible in this movie. he put his all into the choreography, so much so that he insisted on staying on set for hours after everyone else so that he could perfect the tap dancing routine. now that's dedication. Catherine Zeta-Jones performed her ass off as well, and John C. Reilly performing "Mr. Cellophane" blew me away. I'd love to see more musicals from you both! Sweeney Todd would be great, as well as Hamilton!
I'm glad you guys reacted to this. you can't imagine the fanfare this movie received when it came out. Everyone thought it would flop because there wasn't any successful musicals in a long time, and then this exploded. It made over 300 million world wide, It won multiple oscars including best Picture, and started a wave of succesfull musicals... Rent, Dreamgirls, and Hairspray were all hits at the movies. My dance company at the time, we adopted a jazz/burlesque show thanks to the movie, and we were booked sold for that entire year with the show. We even got to perform for the broadway cast of Chicago during their national tour.
This is my favorite movie of all time. Can't even count how many times I've watched it. I love when reactors have an open mind towards musicals and are able to enjoy this masterpiece for what it is. Thanks for an amazing reaction, guys!
Saw this in the theater and it was just as good as you'd imagine on the big screen. I also listened to the soundtrack for months afterward. My upstairs neighbor did too and we'd sing together-her through the floor and me at the ceiling. I'm sure the rest of our neighbors hated us.
39:31 And to top off the amazement factor...she was pregnant when she filmed the movie. By the time she won her Oscar, she's was VERY pregnant and ended up giving birth about 10 days after the Oscars.
Another great musical to watch is "RENT" (also with Taye Diggs) and then the musical about the life of the writer and composer of "RENT" called "Tick, Tick, Boom" starring Andrew Garfield.
The songs weren't nominated for Best Song because they weren't written for the movie -- they were written for the 1975 Broadway musical. And yes, the woman you said "Were you in the original musical" about was Chita Rivera, who played Velma Kelly in the originally Broadway show.
My gay ass just squealed with joy -I love this movie -this movie is really responsible for bringing back the musical genre in film. -they have tried adapting this since Chicago hit the stage but no one was able to figure out how to incorporate the music until Rob Marshall came up with the transitions from reality and fantasy.
It's pretty cool that any of Chicago's cast and crew have gone on to work in succeeding musicals, including director Rob Marshall (Nine, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins Return), writer Bill Condon (writer-director of Dreamgirls, director of Beauty and the Beast, writer of The Greatest Showman), costume designer Colleen Atwood (Sweeney Todd, Nine, Into the Woods), and actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rock of Ages), Queen Latifah (Hairspray), and Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!, Into the Woods). Chicago truly re-emergence of the musical film genre in the 21st century
In fact, there's a theory that it was not just about popping gum. The events take place during the Prohibition time, and gum was used to remove the alcohol smell. So he could've been a drunkard, and that means a much worse situation...
If you guys want to hear more of John C. Reilly singing, you should check out Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. It's a criminally underrated and hilarious musical parody movie.
19:43 Hunyak says: "How did I find myself here? They say my lover held down my husband and I cut his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand"
This is so crazy, this is one of my favourite movie musicals! I literally watched this in the weekend with my mum and I was thinking to myself, ‘no one ever reacts to Chicago’, and lo and behold! Thanks for the reaction!
This is one of those movie musicals that I truly think works AMAZINGLY well translated into film vs stage! There's something so fun about how a lot of the musical numbers are clearly meant to be taking place in Roxie's mind, as if in her delusions and desperation to be a star she can't help experiencing everything around her as if it's another stage performance.
Yes... Some might avoid "The Sound of Music" 1965 over length with Julie Andrews. I saw reactors split into 2 sessions also. Still timeless classic at a pinnacle of the Golden Age of Hollywood and musical legacy.... and there were those few others as 1960s Musicals... "My Fair Lady" 1964 a full old hollywood period musical with Audrey Hepburn. Also "Oliver" of 1968. The musical/comedy of Barbra Streisand as - "Hello Dolly" 1969. .... Another I mentioned in another post is 1972's "Cabaret" another 1930s set movie musical set in Berlin with Liza Minnelli... Judy Garlands daughter clearly the talent rubbed off.... on the order of Chicago a bit....
One of my favorite movies! 🤩I honestly don’t know why more reactors aren’t reviewing this movie because it’s such an underrated gem! And I say that as someone who isn’t a fan of musicals.
Every number in thie musical is gold, it's hard to pick a favorite. I tend to cycle through them. But "They Both Reached for the Gun" is probably my current fave. I love the way it shows how all of the characters in this movie, except for Amos and the Hungarian woman, are narcissists chasing their own idea of stardom. Mama, Billy, and Mary Sunshine chase fame in less conventional ways than Roxie and Velma, but they're all after the spotlight. Meanwhile, if you wanna see an equally amazing film with Richard Gere as a lawyer but with a TOTALLY different tone, you should dedinitely check out "Primal Fear".
Richard Gere is one of the guys who got a big boost to his career from the original (early 70s) productions of Grease -- others are Barry Bostwick, John Travolta, Treat Williams, among many more. I saw him starring as Danny Zuko in the original London production in 1973. He definitely has the musical skills from way back. And so, obviously, does Catherine Zeta-Jones. She first became famous as a song-and-dance gal, starring in her teens in musicals in London like 42nd Street (she really was an understudy who took over for the star and became a star herself! -- which is the story of 42nd Street). Knowing her from that early stuff, I was kind of surprised that she so quickly made the move to Hollywood and became a genuine movie star. Lots of people try that and don't succeed.
Cabaret was also written by the duo who wrote Chicago. The film is a masterpiece and won 8 Oscars despite being nominated against The Godfather! Not only one of the best musicals but one of the greatest films of all time. Highly recommend reacting to it.
YESSS FINALLY MY NICHE!! Please please please do Dream Girls I just love it so much and Jennifer Hudson deserves her flowers! Also the voice actress from Princess and the frog is in this movie! I also suggest some weird but good ones like Rocky horror picture show and Little shop of horrors.
They don't give you subtitles because that is the point! She was found guilty because of her inability to communicate. We don't know what she is saying just like her jury didn't know what she was saying. She was actually the only one truly not guilty if you do get to read that she said. Someone else killed her husband. But she didn't speak English to tell her story. It's actually a brilliant part of the story telling.
The gag with Billy Flynn always called Amos, Andy, is a nod to Amos n Andy, which was a long running radio series in the late 1920s/early 1930s, to the late 1950/early 60s. It’s about two farmhands from Georgia who dream of a better life and so hop a train to… Chicago. Amos was a naive sweetheart, Andy was gullible but self confident.
Renee used to come to a coffee shop where I worked when I first came to LA. She was in track at my high school's rival high school, so I mentioned it, and we struck up a little coffee shop friendship. She'd come in, and we'd have a little chin wag. She really is super sweet and an incredible actor.
I love that this was my introduction to your channel. I love this movie and I really enjoyed your commentary 🤗 I saw this in theaters, and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s performance blew me away. Definitely a film to see on a big screen.
Hungarian translation: "What am I doing here? They say my famous lover held down my husband and I chopped his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand." Also, you'll notice she's the only one without a red scarf. That's referenced later when the guy waves a white handkerchief to signify Roxie's innocent verdict.
Fun fact and probably my favorite fact about this movie is the fact that they actually filmed ALL of the songs on an actual stage. Catherine Zeta-Jones actually performed in live theater before she got big on the big screen, so her performance stands out. Love it!
Hungarian monologue actually translated: How did I find myself here? They say my famous lover (neighbor?) held down my husband and I cut his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand.
Lol, no, its not ambiguous. The Hungarian was the only dancer in the Cell Block Tango who didn’t use a red handkerchief, hers was white. She was also the only one we couldn’t understand (all the others who were guilty spoke english and its the reason there were no subtitles ) and she was wearing white in her “final act”. She was innocent, they made it clear.
Chicago won 6 Oscars (including Best Picture). It also won 3 Golden Globes (Best Picture, Best Actor for Richard Gere and Best Actress for Renée Zellweger ).
The problem with Joker 2 is that they used classic songs with a couple new ones. They sounded great. But here they told the story. This is a musical. Joker 2 had scenes interrupted by songs and back and forth.
This is a particularly rare movie because it very much honors the style and feel of the stage musical, yet is so completely different. The stage musical is just a straight-up vaudeville show with some HILARIOUS moments that didn't make it into the movie, but the decadence of the show is really dripping in every frame of the movie. Totally different experiences, but both are near-perfect. A lot like the book and movie of Jurassic Park. Completely different, yet both are fantastic.
Kander and Ebb were prolific musical creators. their catalogue includes Chicago, Cabaret (another award winning movie), Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Curtains.... to name but a few.
Unfortunately, many of Kander & Ebb's Broadway musicals have never been filmed, but in addition to CHICAGO and CABARET, they also wrote original songs for the movies FUNNY LADY (1975) starring Barbra Streisand, and NEW YORK, NEW YORK (1977) starring Liza Minelli.
You can say Joker 2 took inspiration from this movie, but is sure didn't execute it well lol. And thank you Greg for pointing out how this is doing it the right way lol
I saw this at the theater and as soon as it was over I bought a ticket to see it again. After that I told everyone I could that this was going to win the Oscar.
Fun fact Catherine Zeta was pregnant during the entire filming for this! Makes it even more impressive was she accomplished with this movie. Powerhouse!
I think the most fascinating part of this film it’s that is based on a true story. The history of how the story became a movie then a play then a musical then a revival musical and then this film is crazy
I immediately said, “NO WAY” when I saw the thumbnail for Chicago and that you guys were reacting. I was so excited!!! I loved it so much ❤ Maybe you can do Dreamgirls? Hamilton is amazing but I think since it’s all music it would be tough to get around copyright? Not sure. Dreamgirls? Hairspray? Grease?
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FYI, Zeta in Zeta-Jones has the same vowel sound like ‘feet’ rather than being pronounced identically to the greek letter
You’ll notice that everyone in Cell Block Tango has a red hanky which meant they were guilty where as Hunyak has a white hanky showing her innocence. In those times they wouldn’t have paid for a translator to help her.
And when you read the translation of what the Hunyak is accused of, it's SO much more sad
Omg, thank you! 😂I was screaming this because I know they didn’t notice that she pulled a white handkerchief indicating her innocence.
She also says she's not guilty
Most reactors never notice it which makes it more sad
1:24:00
Something I think doesn’t get enough kudos is that Catherine Zeta-Jones was also pregnant while doing all this insane, physically demanding choreography. She absolutely killed this role
I was about to say the same thing!!! No one talks about it.
She actually wasn’t pregnant. She didn’t get pregnant til months after filming. It’s just one of those factoids that gets repeated so much that many fans end up thinking it’s true.
No, she had just been pregnant. Still an amazing feat. I was young, but I remember people being impressed she looked so good after having recently given birth. Seems like the standards are even higher now for pregnant women to look hot just after having a baby. At least for women in the public eye.
@@liteflightify yeah, I don't know why this one gets repeated so much. It's like a game of telephone. I think people remember there being articles and talk on shows that had something to do with her pregnancy so they misremember it as her actually being pregnant
@@liteflightifyoh really?? My bad lol. Hmm now I can’t decide if I should delete this or just commit and keep the rumor going lol
Basically translated, the Hungarian lady says the police accused her (and her lover) of killing her husband, but that it’s not true, she’s not guilty. She’s the only one on death row that was innocent but due to the language barrier she couldn’t defend herself. In the song, she literally just keeps saying, ‘uh, uh, not guilty’.
I mean, it wasn't ambiguous at all. She was the only one who said "not guilty" while everyone else was singing "he had it coming"
Iirc it wasn't even her lover, it was just some guy that wanted her but she said no so he killed her husband and framed her?
@@PupGamer93 I didn’t know he wasn’t really her lover. That makes it even sadder.
She’s also the only one who had a white handkerchief, the rest had red ones.
@@goatinthewater1402 Velma also says she didn't do it
I haven't seen this mentioned but Queen Latifah was also nominated for an Oscar. Been a fan of hers for decades, she's so multi-talented.
Yes she was amazing in this role.
The deleted scene/song of her singing "Class" with CZJ is one of my favorites.
This was a left-field casting decision that immediately pivoted her from "hip hop artist with some minor acting experience" to "highly respected actress" in a single film
13:24 That is the late great Chita Rivera (the original Velma Kelly in the original Broadway production of "Chicago") in a cameo role.
I’ll forgive them for not knowing that but it makes me sad
At least they read the trivia at the end that told them it was Chita.
And the original Anita in West Side Story *and* the original Rose Alvarez from Bye Bye Birdie. The term "iconic" is used too easily these days but Chita truly is
Oooh that’s cool!!!
Yes! That scene is right before Cell Block Tango
Catherine was a musical theatre girl before breaking into Hollywood. So, her being the strongest and most charismatic singer and dancer shouldn’t be a surprise. All the performances are solid, but if anyone from this deserved the Oscar it was her.
Chicago was her movie like without Catherine Chicago wouldn't have the impact it did
Yes, that is Richard Gere's actual voice (and tap-dancing) a lot of people don't know he was in Broadway musicals early in his career. And. the Hungarian woman is innocent -- it's unambiguous as she is the only one in the Cell Block Tango who has a white silk rather than a red one.
They used a white handkerchief at the end to let the newspaper guy know what the verdict was too, to drive home that colour coding
All the actors did their own singing and dancing I think Rob Marshall the director required that
He also plays the piano...he was actually playing in that scene in Pretty Woman.
“The words to activate the winter soldier” had me dying
😂😂😂
Seeing Greg's excitement for Cell Block Tango gave me the chills. It's one of my all time favorite numbers, so seeing other people enjoy it brings me such joy!
Indeed haha!
Bob Fosse was the MASTER of hot choreography.
Such a shame that Gere was the only main cast member who wasn't nominated for an Oscar. His performance was fantastic as well.
I agree!
His face watching Catherine Zeta-Jones was totally me in theater seeing this the first time. She owned this role. Perfection!
The Hungarian woman is innocent.
- Her little bit in cell block tango translates to something like “they say I cut off my husbands head but I didn’t do it, I’m innocent, I tried to explain but they don’t understand me”
- If you look at the handkerchief she pulls out of her partner during cell block tango, it’s white. It’s the only one out of the six that pulls a white handkerchief instead of a red one.
- in the stage show there’s a small scene with her and mama Morton and her lawyer where mama is translating and she says “I think she’s telling the truth” and the lawyer is all like “I get no benefit from her execution! She has to confess!”
She’s such a tragic foil to roxie and Velma. Unable to gain sympathy or understanding from anyone simply because she doesn’t speak English.
And she's the only whose dance with her partner is romantic instead of violent.
The only part of her verse in Cell Block Tango that’s in English, aside from “not guilty” is something about Uncle Sam (ie America). IIRC the translation I saw was something like “I don’t know why Uncle Sam is doing this to me” 😢
also when they're all singing the chorus 'they had it coming' the camera focus on her and she's the only one not singing.
My favorite number is definitely "Cell Block Tango." The choreography's incredible (and hot), the tango brat is so catchy, and Catherine Zeta Jones just nails it.
I love the use the of the red (and white) scarves in that choreography.
@@itzel1735Same.
Same although all the performance numbers ate
25:35 It's important to remember about the "All He Cares About Is Love" song is that it's what Roxy is IMAGINING he'll be like. It has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the reality of him.
The older prisoner who first speaks to Roxie is Chita Rivera, who played the role of Velma Kelly opposite Gwen Verdon (Bob Fosse's ex wife) in the original cast of the musical.
A lot of people mentioned how the white lighting and white hanky symbolized the Hungarian woman was innocent, and her reason was so sad, but I also love the detail that the rest of the women pull out the red hanky from the place or method of how they killed their victims.
And the one who stabbed her husband got a bigger scarf because there was so much blood!
And Velma has two
What's fascinating about the Hungarian woman is the REASON she's later killed is because she had no recourse; she couldn't even speak English to defend herself, so she was the easiest target for execution even if she was literally the only innocent. So the movie's choice to not translate her was to indicate that her innocence wasn't enough to free her; even if we *know* she's innocent from the symbolism of the white scarf.
Catherine Zeta Jones as Velma Kelly is, imo, the most convincing fictional 'professional performer' played by a professional performer, and a perfect foil to Roxie's 'nothing but ego and air' persona
This movie is SO good. You will love it. And Catherine ZJ was pregnant shooting this. And I always thought the lack of thanslation on that woman in cell block tango is on purpose, no one in the country spoke her language so she couldnt get a lawyer, and even though she was innocent, she got hang. It reinforces all the idea of the spectacle and manipulation of media and lawyers and the justice system. (: every other woman was holding red cloths to represent blood, but she was holding a white cloth, she danced ballet and not tango.
Hadn't she just had her baby? She's carrying post-baby weight but she looks the most appropriate for the time because normal sized women were fashionable and sexy
First musical movie to won Best Picture since Olivier! in 1968. Easily very well deserved, one of the best movie adaptation of a classic Broadway theater show
I love 'Oliver!' too.
It's 'Oliver', actually, but thanks for the info! I haven't seen that movie in decades, but I remember it well!
OLIVER! (1968), needless to say, is my favorite musical.
The last girl in the Cell Block Tango is Mya, the R&B singer
This remains one of the most clever, well-executed musical-to-film adaptations ever. The way each number exists as its own separate broadway flourish but in tandem with the real life plot as it plays out is so satisfying to watch. Billy Flynn's "We Both Reached for the Gun" is my favorite example of this. Such an unexpectedly entertaining and compelling way to show how a gifted attorney "pulls the strings" in the legal world, particularly in high-profile cases.
And ho boy, the frenetic undeniable sex appeal throughout the whole movie can't ever be ignored. First time watching in early adolescence was something else, particularly Cell Block Tango. Hands-down the best song :)
OMG YES I LOVE BILLY FLYNN’S SONGS!!!
Hamilton and Grease would be fun reactions to watch.
Agree on Hamilton!
YES! HAMILTON!
“Roxie” was one of the centerpieces of my routine when I did drag
Oh, God I know that had to have been FUN!!! Roxie is a trip!!
I would have loved to see that!
When this came out, the movie poster's tagline was "Why Be Famous When You Can Be Infamous". Still so good after 22 years!
Cell block tango is one of my favorite musical numbers. i always felt so bad that the one innocent woman is the one that is executed
You guys sounded a little worried that you weren't going to vibe with a musical, but this reaction was awesome. I love how much you loved it. You're a testament of how much joy you can get from being open and focusing on the positives.
Perfectly stated!
Andrew you are ENOUGH!!!! Please don't ever feel like you aren't ❤
❤
... in the stage production Mary Sunshine is played by a male in drag, singing countertenor, to surprise the audience and drive home the idea that "not everything is as it seems" ... the role in the movie was lessoned but given to the great Christine Baranski in what I consider a cameo
I had no idea about this, it came as a total surprise when I saw it here in Boston, I think last year.
Fun fact: Christine Branski plays the video game villain Kassandra, Kaos’s mom in Skylanders Swap Force
Chicago is one of the greatest musicals of the 20th century, and this movie perfectly captures it
Too bad these two dipshits talked thru the whole movie and tried to be funny and failed
47:00 yeah uh that's the whole thing. The poor Hungarian lady was actually innocent. Her bit in the Cell Block Tango translates roughly to "What am I doing here? They say my famous lover held down my husband while I chopped off his head. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand me."
Huge credit goes to Bob Fosse who directed and Choreographed the original stage production and is given credit in this movie. His choreography is iconic and they did an amazing job here. Cell Block Tango is the name of the song where the women give their backstory
Moulin rouge is another top tier musical!
Yes!!! I hope they do it
There is "Cabaret" from 1972 also. Liza Minnelli did great and her singing/dancing .... being the daughter of Judy Garland.... that should not surprise. Hopefully, aspects of the subject would not be a issue. Still a great drama/musical as also a era timepiece set in Berlin of the 1930s also....
@@davidw7 A reaction to CABARET (1972) couldn't be more timely at the present moment. The songwriters for CABARET, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, also wrote the songs for CHICAGO, and the director and choreographer of the film version of CABARET, the late, great Bob Fosse, also directed, choreographed, and co-authored (with Fred Ebb) the "book" (the non-musical part) for the original Broadway stage production of CHICAGO. The movie version of CHICAGO Is very much choreographed in Fosse's style.
My very favorite ❤
This is a great musical for people who usually don't like musicals.
I remember being really impressed that Richard Gere did all his own dancing and singing, if I remember correctly. There was an entertainment segment on tv about him training tap dance for the courtroom scene
Richard Gere was so incredible in this movie. he put his all into the choreography, so much so that he insisted on staying on set for hours after everyone else so that he could perfect the tap dancing routine. now that's dedication. Catherine Zeta-Jones performed her ass off as well, and John C. Reilly performing "Mr. Cellophane" blew me away. I'd love to see more musicals from you both! Sweeney Todd would be great, as well as Hamilton!
Omg yes I love Sweeney Todd!!!
I'm glad you guys reacted to this. you can't imagine the fanfare this movie received when it came out. Everyone thought it would flop because there wasn't any successful musicals in a long time, and then this exploded. It made over 300 million world wide, It won multiple oscars including best Picture, and started a wave of succesfull musicals... Rent, Dreamgirls, and Hairspray were all hits at the movies.
My dance company at the time, we adopted a jazz/burlesque show thanks to the movie, and we were booked sold for that entire year with the show. We even got to perform for the broadway cast of Chicago during their national tour.
This is my favorite movie of all time. Can't even count how many times I've watched it. I love when reactors have an open mind towards musicals and are able to enjoy this masterpiece for what it is. Thanks for an amazing reaction, guys!
Saw this in the theater and it was just as good as you'd imagine on the big screen. I also listened to the soundtrack for months afterward. My upstairs neighbor did too and we'd sing together-her through the floor and me at the ceiling. I'm sure the rest of our neighbors hated us.
Were you my neighbor? Lol😂
Saw it in theater opening weekend in NYC so everyone there was a musical theater nerd, including me. You better believe we knew who Chita Rivera was!
lol
That’s awesome! I wish I had a neighbor like that! 😂
@@questworldiangreenknight7455 It was so great. We especially loved singing When You're Good to Mama and We Both Reached For the Gun together.
I have to say Mr. Cellophane is my favorite song in this whole movie. I love the whole performance❤
Me too!
It's so good
39:31 And to top off the amazement factor...she was pregnant when she filmed the movie. By the time she won her Oscar, she's was VERY pregnant and ended up giving birth about 10 days after the Oscars.
Another great musical to watch is "RENT" (also with Taye Diggs) and then the musical about the life of the writer and composer of "RENT" called "Tick, Tick, Boom" starring Andrew Garfield.
Co-sign on Tick Tick BOOM, not so much on RENT
i would love to see these two both watch rent
Never cared for Rent but I do like the songs. I do genuinely love Tick Tick Boom
@@gigi-ij1hksame
The songs weren't nominated for Best Song because they weren't written for the movie -- they were written for the 1975 Broadway musical. And yes, the woman you said "Were you in the original musical" about was Chita Rivera, who played Velma Kelly in the originally Broadway show.
My gay ass just squealed with joy
-I love this movie
-this movie is really responsible for bringing back the musical genre in film.
-they have tried adapting this since Chicago hit the stage but no one was able to figure out how to incorporate the music until Rob Marshall came up with the transitions from reality and fantasy.
He ran into my knife 10 TIMES. 😂
Cabaret!!!!!!! You won’t be disappointed. It is the musical film of all musical films!!
Favorite Music Number From Chicago?!
- Also APOLOGIES Again For The Last 10 minutes of the reaction going out of focus and the review.
Cell Block Tango!
All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango
Favorite Musical Numbers: All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Cell Block Tango, and Funny Honey.
Cell Block Tango, We both reached for the gun and the deleted song Class
Both reached for the gun and Hot honey rag.
Oh and Mr Cellophane.
It's pretty cool that any of Chicago's cast and crew have gone on to work in succeeding musicals, including director Rob Marshall (Nine, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins Return), writer Bill Condon (writer-director of Dreamgirls, director of Beauty and the Beast, writer of The Greatest Showman), costume designer Colleen Atwood (Sweeney Todd, Nine, Into the Woods), and actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rock of Ages), Queen Latifah (Hairspray), and Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!, Into the Woods). Chicago truly re-emergence of the musical film genre in the 21st century
Fun fact: Branski played Kassandra aka Kaos’s mom in the videogame Skylanders Swap Force
Yes, that was Richard Gere’s voice! 😊 Also Catherine Zeta Jones was a few months pregnant filming this. She is amazing
THEY HAD IT COMIN
In fact, there's a theory that it was not just about popping gum. The events take place during the Prohibition time, and gum was used to remove the alcohol smell. So he could've been a drunkard, and that means a much worse situation...
If you guys want to hear more of John C. Reilly singing, you should check out Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. It's a criminally underrated and hilarious musical parody movie.
Ah man, Walk Hard is one of my favorite movies! “You never paid for dr*gs, not once”
Ooh I have never heard of this movie, what’s it about?
19:43 Hunyak says: "How did I find myself here? They say my lover held down my husband and I cut his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand"
This is so crazy, this is one of my favourite movie musicals! I literally watched this in the weekend with my mum and I was thinking to myself, ‘no one ever reacts to Chicago’, and lo and behold! Thanks for the reaction!
I love knowing that CZJ was pregnant during the filming of this movie. She's up there giving 110%.
She wasn't. She was 9 months pregnant when she won the Oscar. She also performed on the show.
Filming wrapped before she was pregnant.
@agentsculder2451 Oh, my mistake.
This is one of those movie musicals that I truly think works AMAZINGLY well translated into film vs stage! There's something so fun about how a lot of the musical numbers are clearly meant to be taking place in Roxie's mind, as if in her delusions and desperation to be a star she can't help experiencing everything around her as if it's another stage performance.
Sound of Music or Singin’ in the Rain would be fun reactions
Yes... Some might avoid "The Sound of Music" 1965 over length with Julie Andrews. I saw reactors split into 2 sessions also. Still timeless classic at a pinnacle of the Golden Age of Hollywood and musical legacy.... and there were those few others as 1960s Musicals... "My Fair Lady" 1964 a full old hollywood period musical with Audrey Hepburn. Also "Oliver" of 1968. The musical/comedy of Barbra Streisand as - "Hello Dolly" 1969. ....
Another I mentioned in another post is 1972's "Cabaret" another 1930s set movie musical set in Berlin with Liza Minnelli... Judy Garlands daughter clearly the talent rubbed off.... on the order of Chicago a bit....
One of my favorite movies! 🤩I honestly don’t know why more reactors aren’t reviewing this movie because it’s such an underrated gem! And I say that as someone who isn’t a fan of musicals.
If you liked Chicago, you will enjoy Wicked, it shockingly turned out awesome!
Every number in thie musical is gold, it's hard to pick a favorite. I tend to cycle through them. But "They Both Reached for the Gun" is probably my current fave. I love the way it shows how all of the characters in this movie, except for Amos and the Hungarian woman, are narcissists chasing their own idea of stardom. Mama, Billy, and Mary Sunshine chase fame in less conventional ways than Roxie and Velma, but they're all after the spotlight.
Meanwhile, if you wanna see an equally amazing film with Richard Gere as a lawyer but with a TOTALLY different tone, you should dedinitely check out "Primal Fear".
Richard Gere is one of the guys who got a big boost to his career from the original (early 70s) productions of Grease -- others are Barry Bostwick, John Travolta, Treat Williams, among many more. I saw him starring as Danny Zuko in the original London production in 1973. He definitely has the musical skills from way back.
And so, obviously, does Catherine Zeta-Jones. She first became famous as a song-and-dance gal, starring in her teens in musicals in London like 42nd Street (she really was an understudy who took over for the star and became a star herself! -- which is the story of 42nd Street). Knowing her from that early stuff, I was kind of surprised that she so quickly made the move to Hollywood and became a genuine movie star. Lots of people try that and don't succeed.
Chicago is magical and a fantastic time. Don't know if you've reacted to Moulin Rouge. Another musical that you'll love.
Cabaret was also written by the duo who wrote Chicago. The film is a masterpiece and won 8 Oscars despite being nominated against The Godfather! Not only one of the best musicals but one of the greatest films of all time. Highly recommend reacting to it.
YESSS FINALLY MY NICHE!! Please please please do Dream Girls I just love it so much and Jennifer Hudson deserves her flowers! Also the voice actress from Princess and the frog is in this movie! I also suggest some weird but good ones like Rocky horror picture show and Little shop of horrors.
Co-signing on Dreamgirls & Little Shop!
The random closeups on Greg's face were absolutely killing me 😂😂
Maybe a bit cliche, but The Sound of Music has a very special place in my heart.
Mine too! A great musical!
It's one of my favorite things.
So excited to see you guys react to more musicals!
They don't give you subtitles because that is the point! She was found guilty because of her inability to communicate. We don't know what she is saying just like her jury didn't know what she was saying. She was actually the only one truly not guilty if you do get to read that she said. Someone else killed her husband. But she didn't speak English to tell her story. It's actually a brilliant part of the story telling.
Rene won her 2nd Oscar for playing Judy Garland.
Was not a fan of that choice.
She was fantastic.
She played Judy Garland?! What was the movie called?
@ Judy
@@Knightowl1980thank you
She had the white handkerchief in the cell block tango, everyone’s else was blood red. She was innocent
The gag with Billy Flynn always called Amos, Andy, is a nod to Amos n Andy, which was a long running radio series in the late 1920s/early 1930s, to the late 1950/early 60s. It’s about two farmhands from Georgia who dream of a better life and so hop a train to… Chicago. Amos was a naive sweetheart, Andy was gullible but self confident.
Renee used to come to a coffee shop where I worked when I first came to LA. She was in track at my high school's rival high school, so I mentioned it, and we struck up a little coffee shop friendship. She'd come in, and we'd have a little chin wag. She really is super sweet and an incredible actor.
Their mouths' resistance to correctly pronouncing "Amos" was something to behold.
I love that this was my introduction to your channel. I love this movie and I really enjoyed your commentary 🤗
I saw this in theaters, and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s performance blew me away. Definitely a film to see on a big screen.
Hungarian translation: "What am I doing here? They say my famous lover held down my husband and I chopped his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand."
Also, you'll notice she's the only one without a red scarf. That's referenced later when the guy waves a white handkerchief to signify Roxie's innocent verdict.
I'm happy to see the love for Mr. Cellophane. It's an underrated gem, because it's not as flashy or impressively choreographed as other songs.
Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town?
And all that jazz
One of my favorite movie musicals.
So many layers.
Really appreciate a chance to rewatch with you guys.
Fun fact and probably my favorite fact about this movie is the fact that they actually filmed ALL of the songs on an actual stage. Catherine Zeta-Jones actually performed in live theater before she got big on the big screen, so her performance stands out. Love it!
Hungarian monologue actually translated: How did I find myself here? They say my famous lover (neighbor?) held down my husband and I cut his head off. But it's not true. I am innocent. I don't know why Uncle Sam says I did it. I tried to explain at the police station but they didn't understand.
Lol, no, its not ambiguous. The Hungarian was the only dancer in the Cell Block Tango who didn’t use a red handkerchief, hers was white. She was also the only one we couldn’t understand (all the others who were guilty spoke english and its the reason there were no subtitles ) and she was wearing white in her “final act”. She was innocent, they made it clear.
Chicago won 6 Oscars (including Best Picture). It also won 3 Golden Globes (Best Picture, Best Actor for Richard Gere and Best Actress for Renée Zellweger ).
The problem with Joker 2 is that they used classic songs with a couple new ones. They sounded great. But here they told the story. This is a musical. Joker 2 had scenes interrupted by songs and back and forth.
One of my favorite musicals! Glad you both had a good time watching it!
Calamity Jane and West Side Story (Original) are two of my favourite movie musicals.
I'd just like to say, thank you Andrew for the thirst show in Reached for the Gun.
This is a particularly rare movie because it very much honors the style and feel of the stage musical, yet is so completely different. The stage musical is just a straight-up vaudeville show with some HILARIOUS moments that didn't make it into the movie, but the decadence of the show is really dripping in every frame of the movie. Totally different experiences, but both are near-perfect. A lot like the book and movie of Jurassic Park. Completely different, yet both are fantastic.
Kander and Ebb were prolific musical creators. their catalogue includes Chicago, Cabaret (another award winning movie), Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Curtains.... to name but a few.
If they think this is dark they ain't ready for Cabaret
Unfortunately, many of Kander & Ebb's Broadway musicals have never been filmed, but in addition to CHICAGO and CABARET, they also wrote original songs for the movies FUNNY LADY (1975) starring Barbra Streisand, and NEW YORK, NEW YORK (1977) starring Liza Minelli.
You don't want a criminal lawyer -- you want a cRImInAL lawyer.
😂
You can say Joker 2 took inspiration from this movie, but is sure didn't execute it well lol. And thank you Greg for pointing out how this is doing it the right way lol
So glad you enjoyed! If you ever wanted a fun musical series (on or off camera) I'd recommend Galavant. Something tells me you'd both love that show x
Love this movie. It’s one of my favorites. Moulin Rouge! Is another one of my favorite other musicals. And Meet Me In St. Louis.
I adored the music, the choreography, the performances, the screenplay, the costumes, the sets, the lighting, et cetera, et cetera. I LOVED IT.
I saw this at the theater and as soon as it was over I bought a ticket to see it again. After that I told everyone I could that this was going to win the Oscar.
The two guilty & innocent headlines gag is from Citizen Kane. (The headlines were Kane Elected! and Fraud at the Polls!)
Meet Me In St Louis!!! A classic with Judy Garland. Also, the birth of a classic Christmas song!
CLANG CLANG CLANG went the trolleeeeyyyyyyy
@ Ding Ding Ding went the bell!!!
The first lady you see in the prison is Chita Riviera, she played Velma Kelly on Broadway
Fun fact Catherine Zeta was pregnant during the entire filming for this! Makes it even more impressive was she accomplished with this movie. Powerhouse!
I think the most fascinating part of this film it’s that is based on a true story. The history of how the story became a movie then a play then a musical then a revival musical and then this film is crazy
I immediately said, “NO WAY” when I saw the thumbnail for Chicago and that you guys were reacting. I was so excited!!! I loved it so much ❤
Maybe you can do Dreamgirls?
Hamilton is amazing but I think since it’s all music it would be tough to get around copyright? Not sure.
Dreamgirls?
Hairspray?
Grease?