The movie-musical Chicago is primarily known for its flashing, red and white lights, its glittering costumes, its trumpets and piano and gorgeous women. It's easy to forget about minor male characters while so many sequined beauties are dancing around in your face. However, even through all of the marvelous dancers, sexy murderesses, and tense courtroom scenes, I believe that some attention should be given to the character of Amos Hart, and his portrayal by John C. Reilly.
Now, since Chicago, Reilly has gone on to play some less-dignified roles, including such movies as Tenacious D, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers. Although I don't think his comedy is first-rate, his acting here certainly is. He perfectly exhibits the timid husband, willing to protect and support his wife, even though she couldn't care less about him. And although George Chandler, the first man to portray Amos Hart, did a noteable job, Reilly brought something completely different to the character, and that was sympathy. He didn't make the audience laugh, but he may have drawn a tear or two, because In a way, I think that's something we all can relate to: feeling neglected, like a 'Mr. Cellophane' rather than a 'Roxie'.
And after the trial, even though Roxie is being such a bitch to him, he's still sitting there, waiting for her, with the sweetest smile on his face. And the look of disappointment in his eyes when he finds out that she's not pregnant -- it's almost enough to remind us of our greatest disappointments. The mark of a first-rate actor.
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GREAT LINES/MOMENTS:
"Hope I didn't take up too much of your time."
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"Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane
Shoulda been my name
Mr. Cellophane
Cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I'm there."
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"She's got him covered in a sheet and she's telling me this cock-and-bull story about this burgular, and how I ought to say it was me 'cuz I was sure to get off. 'Help me Amos', she says, 'it's my Goddamn hour of need'. That cheap little tramp. So she's been two-timing me, huh? Well I'm through protecting her; she can swing for all I care! Boy, I'm down at the garage working my butt off 14 hours a day and she's out there munching on bon-bons and tramping around like some goddamn floozy! Thought she could pull the wool over my eyes? Well, I wasn't born yesterday. I tell ya, there are some things a man just can't take, and this time she pushed me too far. That little chiseler. Boy what a sap I was!"
Review by Kell
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