Claim: Catherine Zeta-Jones is an actress.

Chicago is a 2002 American musical crime comedy film based on the musical of the same name , exploring the themes of celebrity , scandal , and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age . The film stars Catherine Zeta-Jones , Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere . Chicago centers on Velma Kelly -LRB- Zeta-Jones -RRB- and Roxie Hart -LRB- Zellweger -RRB- , two murderesses who find themselves in jail together awaiting trial in 1920s Chicago . Velma , a vaudevillian , and Roxie , a housewife , fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows . Directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall , and adapted by screenwriter Bill Condon , with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb , Chicago won six Academy Awards in 2003 , including Best Picture . The film was critically lauded , and was the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver ! in 1968 .