Monday, June 06, 2011

Ready for the end of "Chicago"?


Here's the trailer:

How do you think it will end?

While you're thinking about that, consider the influence of Bob Fosse, native of Chicago, in writing the book the play is based on, not to mention inspiring the choreography. Choreography is listed as "miscellaneous crew" in the Internet Movie Database. That's probably unfair not only to Fosse, but to the whole genre of dance films. Before working in movies he was one of the most important choreographers on Broadway. His influence on American popular dance on both stage and screen is incalculable.

Notice the opening number in "Chicago"? "All that Jazz"? That's also the title of an earlier film written, directed, and (of course) choreographed by Bob Fosse. Many critics insisted it was autobiographical, but Fosse totally denied it. Was he just in denial? Woody Allen always said the same thing about his films to critics who made the same judgements. Judge for yourselves if you want to see another dance movie with even more Bob Fosse influence.

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