Dreamgirls Review
by Patiche (larts AT juno DOT com)April 7th, 2007
Written by : Bill Condon(Screen Play)
Directed by : Bill Condon
Genre: Musical / Drama
Rated : PG-13
Running Time : 2 HRS
Theatrical Release December 25, 2006
Distributor : Dreamworks Films
The Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowels, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover.
I saw "Dreamgirls" a few weeks ago at its first premier showing in my hometown of Philly before it opened to the public. I was very lucky to have gotten a seat to see this incredibly well done movie. The lines were very long at the theater, stretching around the corner. When I finally got in the theater I was relived, and look forward to an exciting evening at the movies. I had heard many outstanding comments about this movie. "Dreamgirls" is an outstanding movie, and a must see. It's a movie that appeals to adult audiences who enjoy musicals, and have seen this Broadway stage play "Dreamgirls."
In this cinematic version of "Dreamgirls" director and writer Bill Condon brings on an excellent ensemble of cast members that provide excellent performances. New comer, and co star Jennifer Hudson takes "Dreamgirls" to a higher dimension of success with her vibrate vocals, and exceptional acting performance. Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy also captures the viewer's attention with surprisingly stunning performances as a crude, and mean spirited manger, and a energetic singer that doesn't fit in with the scope of time. "Dreamgirls" is the timeless story of the famed R & B group Diana Ross and The Supremes, and their rise to stardom and success.
Bill Condon's wonderful revisits to the golden days of R & B, and its roots with Motown records, and vivid profile of owner Barry Gordy is wonderfully done, and choreographed with an excellent musical score. Jennifer Hudson rocks the audience, with moving moments of applause with her magical and soul-stirring solo of the original Broadway hit, "And I'm Telling You, I'm not Going."
In this movie, it is the Detroit R &B sounds of the 1960s a trio female R & B group, the Dreamites are competing for stardom. When this group meet its goal of success, they are met with many challenges. Their new manger, Curtis Taylor a luminescence car salesman portrayed by Jamie Foxx take on the job as the group's manger, making drastic changes in the group that effects it's lead singer Effie White, a chubby, and afro centric looking black woman portrayed by Jennifer Hudson. She eventually leaves the group when she's told she's getting replaced by Deena Jones, portrayed by Beyonce Knowles, a European looking light skinned black woman. The manager believes this change and image for the group's lead singer will boost the group's image and path for success.
Later we see the rotten ins and out of this musical business when the group is booked to sing at an all white restaurant, and rejected along with the antics of a hit single produced by the group is stolen by a white singing group. Eddy Murphy portrays a highly energetic R & B singer whose creative singing efforts lead him to a path of failure and suicide. Meanwhile Curtis Taylor and Effie have an affair, producing a daughter. Curtis decides to marry the group's new lead singer Deena Jones, a marriage that turns disastrous, and ultimately ends with Curtis facing serious criminal charges after he schemes, and steals a hit single Effie produces when she left the group, and went solo. Effie's departure from the group ends with a dreadful fate when she's forced to go on welfare, and raise her daughter alone. What happens next to this group, and Effie? You find out when you see this dynamic motion picture.
Final Thoughts
I've pretty much expressed my thoughts about this outstanding motion picture. "Dreamgirls" is a fabulous, handclapping, and heartwarming motion picture that audiences will enjoy. While I enjoyed the appearance of R & B great, Beyonce Knowles, and certainly her appearance in "Dreamgirls" is no doubt a monumental achievement for her career. It is the Jennifer Hudson who provides the best performance in this motion picture carrying it to its height of success and theatrical bliss. She will probably win a Grammy or get a Grammy nomination she deserves it."Deamgirls" offers a good script, cast, and musical score that stays in line with the Broadway musical of "Dreamgirls"'. It's a movie that has already landed 5 Golden Globe awards for best picture, and best musical.
"Dreamgirls" gets 5 stars; it's a must see.
Reviewed by Lisa Smith
(c)2007
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