Naughty-but-nice criminality prevails throughout Chicago

Both these crime films where the protagonist is a woman demonstrate two entirely different angles of representing women in jail. In both of the films, the audience are positioned on the women’s side; we are always manipulated into believing their idea of right is acceptable. But, the difference

The sympathy for Libby is constructed by the fact she is wearing no make-up and she looks tired and upset. The mise-en-scene is dark, and the walls are bleak and bare. The bars in the background show the audience that Libby is still in jail and the noises background reinforces what an unfriendly place it is. Her dress code is the same as everyone else behind her – a blue shirt with numbers printed on it. The atmosphere in the jail is very uneasy, with many people wanting to use the phone, regular comments such as “give it up” are used to persuade her off the phone. When Libby starts to find out some information from her phone call, the camera angle changes to behind the phone. This allows the audience to see her facial expressions better and judge weather she has been successful. It is important in this scene because it is a bit of a detective scene where Libby finds out some vital information. When she finds out her husband, Nick is still alive, and therefore set her up the background music becomes louder and more eerie in a minor tone. Libby’s face becomes panicked as he hangs up the phone, the camera becomes shaky, and the music starts to become louder. This connotes that Libby’s world has suddenly become shaky. Her movements become blurred in the camera to also emphasise her panic as she tries to dial the number again. This effect shows to the audience the state of mind Libby is in and how she doesn’t care about anyone else in the room. Sound in the background becomes an echo and it makes it sound very weird. We as an audience are being put inside Libby’s head. We cannot hear of see things straight because of how surreal the situation is. There is still an extreme close up on Libby’s face to show her expressions of shock and betrayal. At this point the representation of Libby is weak, as she has no control over her own life, and her son.

The audience is introduced to Velma as a very seductive and powerful woman, this is shown by several character traits. Velma’s body language is very strong; the first parts of her we see are her legs, which are striding to the stage door with purpose and authority. The narrative in itself explains to the audience the type of person Velma must be to murder her husband and sister, and yet still go on to perform, and enjoy it. Her voice is deep and powerful also and the camera is often pictured below her giving her domination of the shot. Women are usually seen thought the male gaze, which is not true in this scene because Velma is seen as an independent woman. Unlike in much of ‘Chicago’ her body is not objectified, but symbolised as a icon of power and success.

This film is extremely different from ‘Chicago’, in that a woman who didn’t even commit a murder gets sent to prison, where things are very different. Prison in ‘Double Jeopardy’ is constructed as a place where you do your time, and then you get out. There are no frills to this prison, and the inmates are all out for themselves. Libby has limited access to the outside world. In one scene she is constructed as desperately trying to find out some information, it gives the audience a feel of sympathy towards Libby, as she is trapped in strict prison for a crime she didn’t commit. This compares to ‘Chicago’, where the protagonist of the film is completely guilty and benefiting from being in jail.

I believe that “Chicago” uses musical and entertainment values to allow the audience to be diverted from the truth in the narrative. The fact that Roxie and Thelma both become famous singer/dancers on the stage shows they have overcome crime and their sexuality to receive the ultimate female ego boost of the 1920s. The film demonstrates fairly negative representations of the women in the 1920s, but they are also showing that women are able to use their sexuality over men to manipulate the crime laws. The film’s musicals scenes powerfully demonstrate how a celeb

Some topics in this essay:
Billy Flynn, Travis Lehman, , County Jail”, Double Jeopardy, Roxie Hart, Libby Nick, Libby Libby’s, Flynn Mama, Mary Sunshine, billy flynn, allows audience, representation women, strong character, audience shown, camera angles, roxie’s imagination, dress codes, velma kelly, double jeopardy, negative representation women, divert audience real, “razzle dazzle” allows, audience real issues, strong character film,