MovieChat Forums > Chicago (2003) Discussion > Bad choice of actors

Bad choice of actors

posted 12 years ago by meri-c
33 replies | jump to latest

although i am not into musicals...I think ''chicago'' would be much better with different actors. Only Catherine Zeta-Jones was good enough. Gere seemed a bit silly during song scenes, Queen Latifah looks way too kind to play a role like this and last but not least.... Renée Zellweger!!!OMG. I loved her in bridget jones diary or Cold mountain..but here???I found her appalling...with that muscular body and invisible breasts..pretendind to be sexy....Noo!

[–] bpollen 10 years ago

You're right. You're not into musicals. Gere's character is supposed to be false and over the top. Queen Latifah isn't supposed to be mean. She's just a hustler. The Zellweger body in this movie is her body, as usual. She had gained weight for those other movies. She's a runner and is very thin and flat chested. Zeta Jones was a bit over her normal weight in this movie; she'd just had a baby.

The casting for this movie was perfect.

If you ever get a chance to see the play (it was a famous Broadway play for years), you should. Then maybe you'll get it. It's a comedy musical.

[–] ginda2000 10 years ago

Back to the OP - I agree that I didn't like some of the actors in the roles. Catherine Zeta Jones nailed it. But Gere looked he was trying too hard - I constantly saw him as Richard Gere "acting" rather than being the character.

Rene Zellweger was woefully miscast. She's cute but she didn't have the hard edge Roxy needed and she was instantly forgettable in the role. And what was Mia doing as one of the murderesses - she was terrible and looked out of place.

Kudos to Catherine though - she did a great job.

This is not true about Renee Zellweger, she was not woefully miscast - she was actually perfect in the role. I have seen Roxie Hart played on stage around 6 times and she is never ever played with a hard edge - that isn't the point of the character, she's played exactly as Zellweger played her. The point with Roxie Hart is she (on paper) is a thoroughly unpleasant character - therefore you cannot have an actress who plays her with a hard edge because audiences would hate her. The part was originated by Gwen Verdon who was the least hard edged actress you could find. An actress who would have been perfect for Roxie Hart is Shirley McClaine and very few actresses today have that Shirley McClaine quality accept for Renee Zellweger. It was Shirley McClaine who took Verdon's part of Charity Valentine in the film of 'Sweet Charity'. Charity Valentine was another Fosse character who would have been disliked if not played with some sweetness. Prior to his death, Bob Fosse (in the 1980's) had planned to cast Goldie Hawn in the part of Roxie Hart and Fosse would have absolutely adored Zellweger - he couldn't have wished for a better Roxie - as she played it exactly as it had been created. Again, you have to see how Gwen Verdon, Shirley McClaine and Renee Zellweger are all very rare similar types of vulnerable performer who can make an unpleasant character likable.

The character of Velma Kelly is supposed to be harder faced initially and much more cool and aloof. Catherine Zeta Jones played this perfectly and she also brought in the more comical aspect as Velma begins to unravel when Roxie gains celebrity. All of this is in the stage show.

[–] Isau 10 years ago

I have to totally disagree.

Renee Z was IMO perfect for the Roxy of the movie (who differs from the Roxy of the play). This Roxy is more awkward, clearly really shouldn't be in showbusiness, and is more vulnerable than stage-Roxy. Part of the point of the movie is that she is *not* a bombshell babe with a ready-made act. I think Renee's interpretation of the role was incredible.

[–] netmedia 9 years ago

None of the leads can dance. The quick cut and special camera angles so as to hide their lack of dancing skills become tiresome as the film goes on. Why not cast real dancers like in All That Jazz?

[–] luvthepros (623) 5 years ago

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a trained dancer. She was understudy for the lead (Peggy Sawyer) in 42nd Street on Drury Lane in London. One night she went on and became an instant sensation......just like the character. That role requires a trained tap dancer.

[–] RKharlamov2001 9 years ago

Gere seemed a bit silly during song scenes

I got the feeling he was supposed to be "a bit silly" in the song scenes.

[–] rachelleberman 9 years ago

Completely agree with Richard Gere and Renée Zellweger!

All the way through, you're thinking Why!! No!!!

I loved Queen Latifa though. And, Catherine Zeta Jones was made for her part.

[–] dosgatosazules 8 years ago

I've always thought that Renee's casting was terrible, mostly because she can't dance -- she does a toe-tap or two in one number, and that's it. Her singing is only all right. Catherine Zeta-Jones can sing, but there are much stronger voices out there, and she wasn't a strong enough dancer either.

Queen Latifah, on the other hand, was great as Mama: she's got a powerful voice and great charisma.

[–] Robbmonster 8 years ago

You do realize Roxie Hart wasn't actually much of a performer, she just wanted to be.

Zellwegger carried it off perfectly. She was someone who WANTED to be an actress, WANTED to be sexy and seductive, but just wasn't gifted with the tools to carry it off.

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