Chicago Poster Analysis

Chicago, The film adaptation of the Broadway stage show Chicago the Musical was released in 2002. This poster uses made different devices to draw an audience in. The first device would be the use of stars. The poster has prominently featured the lead cast; Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere. They are all looking toward the camera that took the photograph of them, making it look like they are looking out of the poster to the audience. Making a personal connection. The poster is predominantly black, to make the red ‘Chicago’s stand out. The black colouring has connotations to be “mysterious, sexy and sophisticated.” Black can also be the colour of mourning and rebellion. It also portrays murder and elements of good and evil. The two girls are also portraying the contrast of good and evil in black and white dresses. Both colours can represent good and evil in different instances. Each character has an element of red in their costumes, the girls with red lipstick and nails, and Billy Flynn with a red handkerchief. The red lipstick and nails are a trait found in the stage version of Chicago which have been transferred to film. The red gives connotation of being sexy, evil, blood (which is highly prominent in this film) beauty, courage and death. At the feet of the characters is the skyline and view of the buildings in Chicago, Illinois. The portrays the characters being larger than life and overruling the city. The two girls are holding guns behind their backs, showing a mischievous and sly side to both of them, as well as giving away character traits and elements included in the film. The tagline – written in red under the characters feet – is “If you can’t be famous, be infamous.” Which makes the audience think that the characters wish for fame, but become infamous in the process, or are obsessed with the notion of fame. The title; ‘Chicago’ is written in black outlined red, apart from the 2^nd C, which is lit up bright red, and then enlarged behind the characters in like a red neon stage lighting. This is a prominent and memorable logo for the film.