Chicago is a American musical black comedy crime film based on the stage musical , which in turn originated in the play. It explores the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age. Chicago centers on Roxie Hart Zellweger and Velma Kelly Zeta-Jones , two murderers who find themselves in jail together awaiting trial in s Chicago. Roxie, a housewife, and Velma, a vaudevillian , fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Rob Marshall , who also choreographed the film, and was adapted by screenwriter Bill Condon , with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Chicago received critical acclaim, with particular praise for the performances of the cast.
The film went on to win six Academy Awards in , including Best Picture , making it the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! Chicago was the tenth-highest-grossing film of the year domestically in the United States. Seeking stardom, Roxie begins an affair with furniture salesman Fred Casely, who claims to know the manager. After the show, Velma is arrested for killing her husband and sister upon catching them in bed together.
A month later, Casely admits to Roxie that he lied about his connections in order to sleep with her. Enraged, she shoots him dead. She convinces her gullible husband, Amos, to take the fall by telling him she killed a burglar in self-defense.
However, when evidence of Roxie's infidelity is uncovered, Amos recants and tells the police that Casely was dead when he arrived home "Funny Honey". Roxie is arrested, with District Attorney Martin Harrison declaring she faces execution by hanging.
