Reviews

People who have experienced the mid-life crisis will be at home with this movie, as 26 year old hairdresser, Rita (Julie Walters), is pressurised into settling down with boyfriend Denny. Not only is this an un-needed pressure, but her father is plaguing her about when she is going to have children, but all Rita wants to do is find herself and take up something new. Her common touch and wonderful idiosyncrasies bring a breath of fresh air to snotty high class life, but when she goes to Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine) to not only improve her lexicon, but to improve her image she begins a journey of blood and tears. Frank is assigned to tutor her, and from the start their personalities resonate the human touch.

Dr. Frank Bryant's marriage has gone down the pan, and his current girlfriend is playing away. On top of this he has hit the bottle and can only get through the day of teaching the young toffs, with a blend of his lecturing skills and the drink. He is jaded, he is tired of the same lecture routines, and he cannot understand why these students want to discuss the finer points of Blake. But Rita is new and fresh, initially Rita doesn't possess the skills required to write analytical essays; but she is different, she is vibrant, she is funny and she is unbelievably up front. As their relationship blossoms and Rita starts to find herself, she becomes increasingly drawn to the student way of life, and when Franks life is enriched because of her presence and her willingness to learn he sends her to a summer camp, to be educated at a greater level.

However, Rita's return with a change of character surprises Frank, and soon they drift away from their zany, affectionate meetings. Educating Rita is funny, expressive, sentimental, poignant and sad, as Frank must come to terms with the young bird fleeing the nest, whilst Rita begins to realize what she is becoming. With one thing gained, many other things are lost, and with Frank's increasing drinking problem because of Rita's character change, the two are headed for disaster. Both Caine and Walters give amazingly touching performances, and throughout I felt myself urging them to each other, only to know deep down that the age gap is just too much. Not many films make the audience care enough about relationships and circumstances, but this brilliant movie not only gets the audience committed to their plight, but also feels the full range of emotions.

When Rita gives her own interpretation of what assonance is, Bryant finds himself chuckling away to himself and realising that she is indeed right. What is especially touching is the way that Bryant wants Rita to stay as she is, because life has so little characters left for him. What she wants to become is everything that Bryant wants to forget, and there begins a sentimental tug of war. In between the funny moments, and plot directions is the feeling that life has more to offer than just being able to talk fluently about past authors, something which Bryant is driven to distraction over. But the movie nevertheless doesn't miss a moment to entertain and take the characters to our hearts, ensuring that Educating Rita remains a film classic.

In the 1920's, Chicago's vibrancy and media fascination with showbiz, ensured that for many people, the dream was alive and real. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere star in this thoroughly enjoyable and brilliantly choreographed movie encapsulating the glitz and glamour of the Chicago high life. When Velma Kelley (Zeta-Jones) is wooing the crowds on stage roared on by admirers, the only thing Roxie Hart (Zellweger) wants to do is emulate her idol. She needs a foothold though, and will do anything to reach the top. The dancing, the high life, the admiration, the press and the love of Chicago is what it's all about. But circumstances dictate that both Hart and Kelley end up in prison after misdemeanors that give them even more press attention.

Enter the arrogant showman, public performer and attorney Billy Flynn (Gere) who has never lost a case, and who has to juggle who is hot and who is not within his schedules, together with a media circus surrounding stories of murder, infidelity, and staying power in the media limelight. Chicago is alive, it's breathing, it's an undying cauldron of frenzy and spectacle, and the only way to survive in the spotlight is to be front page news. Flynn knows this all to well, and soon everyone is vying for his public skills and affections to get themselves off the hook from a death penalty. The movie is gripping, extremely well acted and a joy from start to finish. The music and dance sections are absolutely pristine, and whilst Gere does his bit with confidence and panache, Zeta-Jones and Zellweger take the spotlight looking truly stunning throughout, strutting their ego's and moving their bodies to the beat of jazz and blues.

Combined with some brilliant supporting performances, the movie is a non-stop assault on the senses that aims to dazzle you, blind you from the harsh evidence, and take you along with the roaring tidal wave that is show business. The power of publicity and performance has never been so strong, and the medium of dance and sound never so sparkling. The costumes are glittering and elegant, sensual and sexual, and the appeal and charisma of the leading characters is wonderfully exotic and erotic in the same breath. Flynn knows the city and what it takes to get along, and when Hart gets ahead of herself thinking that she can run her case on her own, she is swiftly reminded of the inner workings of fame witnessing a fellow prisoner being escorted away in a box after execution. No-one does it on their own, and nobody can rely on themselves, as the fame game is fickle and it's durability uncertain.

But as performance after performance takes us to the final verdicts, we are treated to the finale of what Chicago is all about; helping each other to help yourself. In the end Flynn manages a broad smile as Hart and Kelley through gritted teeth and a hatred of each other, perform to get their media fix in front of a packed palladium. How long will they be the sparkle again, who knows? But it's all about the glamour and shelf life, so to miss out would be foolish. The uncertainty, the unpredictability, the stories and scandals are what makes the front page, it's a roller-coaster ride to get public adoration. But like Gere knowingly said - 'That's Chicago'.