• It blew critics and the Academy away in 2002. Rare 4 star from Travers and many comparisons to Fosse’s 1972 Cabaret… it is not Cabaret
  • I think it’s more a strong combination of pieces than brilliant artistic whole.
  • The opening montage editing sequence that pairs Catherine Zeta Jones (just give her the supporting actress Oscar 5 minutes in) with the Zellweger character getting seduced and then ultimately committing the murder is a great montage—“all that jazz” song and the passionate love and killing
  • On a pure content level I guess it’s a statement of celebrity and fame but this is no Lumet film (Network) in terms of intelligence. It’s no big meditation on these things—it’s a light romp- the film actually falters when it attempts brevity like the Hungarian woman who is innocent and gets hanged prison—it’s bad form—not set up correctly
  • Faced paced film—15 to 16 musical numbers- there’s barely a stop between
  • Won 6 Oscars, 4 acting noms and I don’t have a beef with any of them (gere wasn’t nominated- should’ve went for supporting instead of lead)
  • The editing is crisp—Oscar win and the screenplay is playful and light. It really pops
  • Zeta Jones is the main standout for me in the cast- she’s stunning, clearly a great dancer and singer—such a physical dynamic presence on screen—Gere is probably second- he’s the epitome of smooth
  • It’s no masterpiece but there are some really inspired moments of set design and lighting as well- I love the shot behind John C. Reilly during his solo—the extended hands creating a sillouette against the lighting backdrop
  • Recommend- certainly a good film and in the archives but not in my top 10 of 2002