Agreed, musicalfan, I did a double take when I read that and yes, it immediately discredits the review.
It's also absurd that the Hollywood Reporter reviewer argues that the actors can't dance. From what I understand the only dancing numbers are "Cinema Italiano" and "Be Italian" (I imagine not much dancing is required from Judi Dench in "Folies Bergeres") and to say that Kate Hudson or Fergie can't dance in those numbers is absurd. Not only that, but what's his problem with Marshall's editing? This is film. I understand people on this site criticizing the cuts during the dance sequences, but film audiences won't think that Kate Hudson can't dance just because of Marshall's fast-paced cutting. At the end of the day, she looks wonderful in it and her dancing seems to be one of the highlights of the film.
MichaelBennett, I keep reading people saying that CHICAGO shouldn't have won and that THE PIANIST was robbed. I'm of the personal opinion that it was Rob Marshall who was robbed of an Oscar for CHICAGO. Still, I imagine that what you are saying is true, which is a pity since the film looks great, the singing is wonderful, the new songs are out of the world, and the cast couldn't be stronger.
I'd love for the movie to be a box office hit, get good reviews, and do well at the Oscars. But if it doesn't, I'll just be pleased that Rob Marshall gave us yet another fantastic stage-to-movie adaptation. I can't wait to see what his next musical will be, hopefully he'll do that after the PIRATES sequel.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
