20 Greatest Dance Scenes In Movie History
6. Cell Block Tango - Chicago (2002)
Chicago felt like the revival of the movie musical. Set in the roaring twenties, two unashamed murderesses fight for fame, with the help of a slimy lawyer who is determined to make them criminal legends. It is a remarkable movie, very deserving of its Best Picture win, because of its sweeping production scales, exquisite casting, unparalleled musical catalogue and concise editing.
The choreographed numbers of the film feel like a collaboration of all the greatest genres of dance, including cabaret, jazz, ballroom and all with an air of Fosse to them. However, the best musical number is the Cell Block Tango as it knows how to appropriately use symbolism, imagery and dialogue as a whole segment of the story.
The focus is on six musical murderesses, all with very revealing outfits as a representation of their honesty about their crimes, and the justification of getting revenge on the men who have treated them badly. The mood is set against dark lighting with a minimal spotlight on each woman to highlight the mystery of their backstories. The editing is quick and sharp to amplify the fierce attitudes of the women. Moreover, the Cell Block Tango actually makes you feel empathy for the murderess women rather than their male victims.