Dreamgirls (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé KnowlesDirector: Bill Condon
Studio: DreamWorks
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release: May 1st 2007
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DVD Review
The spirit of Motown runs through the long-awaited film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which centers around a young female singing trio who burst upon the music scene in the '60s, complete with bouffant hairdos, glitzy gowns, and a soul sound new to the white-bread American music charts. Sound familiar? You aren't the first one to draw comparisons to the meteoric rise of the Supremes, and despite any protests to the contrary, this is most definitely a thinly veiled reinterpretation of that success story. The Dreamettes--statuesque Deena (Beyonce Knowles), daffy Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and brassy Effie (Jennifer Hudson)--are a girl group making the talent-show rounds when they're discovered by car salesman and aspiring music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). Sensing greatness (as well as a new marketing opportunity) Curtis signs the Dreamettes as backup singers for R&B star James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). But when Early's mercurial ways and singing style don't mesh with primarily white audiences, Curtis moves the newly-renamed Dreams to center stage--with Deena as lead singer in place of Effie. And that's not the only arena in which Effie is replaced, as Curtis abandons their love affair for a relationship with star-in-the-making Deena.
Besides the Supremes comparison, one can't talk about Dreamgirls now without revisiting its notorious Oscar snub; though it received eight nominations, the most for any film from 2006, it was shut out of the Best Picture and Director races entirely. Was the oversight justified? While Dreamgirls is certainly a handsomely mounted, lovingly executed and often vibrant film adaptation, it inspires more respect than passion, only getting under your skin during the musical numbers, which become more sporadic as the film goes on. Writer-director Bill Condon is definitely focused on recreating the Motown milieu (down to uncanny photographs of Knowles in full Diana Ross mode), he often forgets to flesh out his characters, who even on the Broadway stage were underwritten and relied on powerhouse performances to sell them to audiences. (Stage fans will also note that numerous songs are either truncated or dropped entirely from the film.) Condon has assembled a game cast, as Knowles does a canny riff on the essence of Diana Ross' glamour (as opposed to an all-out impersonation) and Rose makes a peripheral character surprisingly vibrant; only Foxx, who never gets to pour on the charisma, is miscast. Still, there are two things even the most cranky viewers will warm to in Dreamgirls: the performances of veteran Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson. Murphy is all sly charm and dazzling energy as the devilish Early, who's part James Brown, part Little Richard, and all showman. And Hudson, an American Idol contestant who didn't even make the top three, makes an impressive debut as the larger-than-life Effie, whose voice matches her passions and stubbornness. Though she sometimes may seem too young for the role, Hudson nails the movie's signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," with a breathtaking power that must be seen and heard to believe. And for those five minutes, if not more, you will be in Dreamgirls' thrall. --Mark Englehart
Beyond Dreamgirls
 Other Musicals on DVD |  More Motown on DVD |  The Soundtrack |
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User Reviews
Dream Girls in HD - Rating: 5/5
I saw the movie in the theatre, but the HD DVD was astounding, especially with surround sound. If you can't get enough singing and dancing in a movie, this one is for you! The background information with the package makes it a great value.
Dreamgirls Delivers Solid Entertainment - Rating: 3/5
The recommendation for DREAMGIRLS is based on the performances of all the leads especially Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson (who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar), and Beyone Knowles. A film which is loosely based on the Motown Story and particularly the group The Supremes. This reviewer enjoyed the film, however, it is one of those films where one viewing is enough and would not want to see again. The production values and direction are excellent along with the music and their set pieces are first rate. However, the story is predictable following a template of a typical rock'n'roll rags to riches to break-up plotline. The audience can predict what is going to happen after each scene in the film and what characters are going to do what. Eddie Murphy should have won the Best Supporting actor in the film instead of Alan Arkin's performance in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. However, perhaps the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was in a way gave it to Alan Arkin because of his past work (and he is getting on in his years). Also, Eddie Murphy released NORBIT during the voting period of the Academy Awards and everyone forgot about his performance in this film. Overall, a good film which warrants only one viewing and then put it on the shelf as a museum piece.
Dreamgirls is great on HD-DVD - Rating: 4/5
There are lots of reviews on this movie, so i wont get into that. I'll focus on the hd-dvd perspective. This movie has brilliant colors and sound that are greatly taken advantage of with hd-dvd. the colors jump off the screen and the sound was amazing! i really enjoyed this movie and it could easily be used as one of those movies to show off your hd setup :)
This is why I LOVE musicals! - Rating: 4/5
I felt so positive after the movie was done. I went through several emotions. I laughed! I got angry! I was saddened. I believed these characters and that's what makes this a wonderful movie. Jennifer Hudson was awe-inspiring as Effie.
Dreamy - Rating: 4/5
I liked this movie and I ordered it as a result of all the reviews but I preferred Sparkle
