Completely prepared to not like this film (Moulin Rouge' being the big over-rated stinker of last year) I was astounded by the artistry and sheer spectacle of what has to be one of the best films of the year.
While Catherine Zeta-Jones has been the primary focus of the adverts, the show really belongs to Renée Zellweger. She proves she can dance, sing and act.
Ms Zellweger has a certain `Marilyn' aspect to her performance not only in her vocal skills but in her look as well.
While Queen Latifah is granted only one big musical number on her own she astounds with a characterization of Mae West that will drop your jaw. She is more than her rap' persona will ever consent to she rocks!
There is incredible interplay of colour in this film hot pink contrasting with cool blue to send a message of what is right and what is wrong theoretically.
The music by Fred Ebb and John Kander is timeless true classics though contemporary composer Danny Elfman (`Rugrats' amongst many other titles) provides his own sense of artistry.
Everyone (providing none of the singing voices were dubbed) can sing his or her heart out While Ms Zellweger is not the greatest vocalist ever she certainly knows how to sell a song and make you believe that she is the woman wronged.'
The Greek chorus' of the women behind bars' is absolutely astounding providing not just a couple of great musical numbers but also supplying a story line that helps to move everything along They can also dance like no one else I have ever seen.
Richard Gere is utilized as much as his talent allows not a lot but enough to make the story work.
My primary concern before I saw this film was `Please, don't wreck the story.' Not only was the story not wrecked' this is one of the best films I have seen this year.
While Catherine Zeta-Jones has been the primary focus of the adverts, the show really belongs to Renée Zellweger. She proves she can dance, sing and act.
Ms Zellweger has a certain `Marilyn' aspect to her performance not only in her vocal skills but in her look as well.
While Queen Latifah is granted only one big musical number on her own she astounds with a characterization of Mae West that will drop your jaw. She is more than her rap' persona will ever consent to she rocks!
There is incredible interplay of colour in this film hot pink contrasting with cool blue to send a message of what is right and what is wrong theoretically.
The music by Fred Ebb and John Kander is timeless true classics though contemporary composer Danny Elfman (`Rugrats' amongst many other titles) provides his own sense of artistry.
Everyone (providing none of the singing voices were dubbed) can sing his or her heart out While Ms Zellweger is not the greatest vocalist ever she certainly knows how to sell a song and make you believe that she is the woman wronged.'
The Greek chorus' of the women behind bars' is absolutely astounding providing not just a couple of great musical numbers but also supplying a story line that helps to move everything along They can also dance like no one else I have ever seen.
Richard Gere is utilized as much as his talent allows not a lot but enough to make the story work.
My primary concern before I saw this film was `Please, don't wreck the story.' Not only was the story not wrecked' this is one of the best films I have seen this year.