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Musicals are special. They energize, inspire, and involve the audience in a way that normal movies do not. Chicago clearly does that. It isn't really the singing that is special here. It is the choreography--the way it is all put together and presented--that really stands out.

The best performance comes from Richard Gere, and his singing is nothing special, to say the least. But his performance in his singing scenes, from playing the brilliant lawyer puppet master to his rendition of "Razzle Dazzle 'em" is wonderful. I loved this movie. As a lawyer, I can even say that Flynn's view of the legal system is perhaps disappointing, but also true. You have to razzle dazzle 'em, plain and simple.

The "Cellophane Man" scene also stands out, and Zellwegger, while not nearly as sexy as Charlize Theron (who was supposed to play her part) is possibly a better actress. Catherine Zeta Jones throws everything into her role, like a true dancer/singer.

Thank you. Thank you for making a thinking person's movie. Thank you, Jack, for being so stingy with your services, and only appearing in excellent films. Thank you for being willing to change and grow and show us different manifestations of ourselves. Thank you for moving us. We will miss you one day Jack, ever so dearly. Please give us more wonderful performances in the mean time.

For me, the greatness of films nearly always comes from the writing. This is simply one of the best. I am not Jewish, and this is, I suppose, a Jewish story. But far more than that, it is a human story. Every word, every gesture in the movie rings true. This is, without question, Levinson's greatest work. (Diner is mediocre, and Liberty Heights isn't anywhere close to great, but this movie is amazingly special.) The Thanksgiving scene is only one of numerous perfect ones. You must see this film. You will rarely be moved, or laugh, or think more.