Between the splash and flash of the musical numbers and the sheer amount of exposed female flesh, the latest from Chicago director Rob Marshall seems poised to please gay and lesbian audiences.

Marshall, along with writers Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella, strive mightily to make the problems of blocked movie director Guido Contini (Daniel Day Lewis) sympathetic, but it’s hard to care much about Guido’s Tiger Woods-like syndrome of being rich, famous and promiscuous.

Still, it’s hard to resist the eye-popping visuals, the La Dolce Vita Italian atmosphere and a Broadway score full of infectious tunes with intelligent lyrics. Among the best of Guido’s gals are Penelope Cruz and Judi Dench. Seventy-five year old Sophia Loren still looks like a million bucks.