Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [HD DVD]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer HudsonDirector: Bill Condon
Studio: DreamWorks
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
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
On the DVD
The two-disc edition of Dreamgirls includes videos, documentaries and other behind-the-scenes features. Diehard fans will love the almost two-hour "Building the Dream" documentary, which goes into loving detail about how the film got to be made. But it's the shorter segments that really capture the viewer's attention. The two auditions included in the set are a contrast in style. Pop singer Beyonce Knowles sells herself in full hair, makeup and costume; that she is a tad pitchy at times is almost beside the point. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose's audition is a tour de force; singing strong and with conviction and passion, Rose is fully in character regardless of the fact that she isn't dressed for the role. Oddly enough, the audition tape of Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her breakthrough role as Effie, is nowhere to be seen. Sure, we all know what a powerhouse she is today. But it would've been nice to see what the filmmakers saw in her back then, when her competition included her American Idol castmate (and that season's winner) Fantasia Barrino. Hudson's performance of "Effie, Sing My Song"--which was not seen in the theatrical release--is included in this set, as are 12 extended musical numbers. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a dance rehearsal choreographed by Fatima Robinson (who has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Jackson). Watching the rudimentary piece (with stand-ins subbing for the stars) come together gives the viewer appreciation for the intricate work that goes into each 3-minute musical number in the 130-minute film. Also included are a sequence of enhanced storyboards, a look at how the film's editor went about editing the picture, and a look at how the costumes played a part in the film. --Jae-Ha Kim
Beyond Dreamgirls
 Other Musicals on DVD |  More Motown on DVD |  The Soundtrack |
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User Reviews
What planet am I on? - Rating: 1/5
What planet am I on.....isn't this earth? I have to check because I recently saw a terribly boring and vastly overrated movie called Dreamgirls. You would think from all the hype this movie got it would have been the best musical since the Wizard Of Oz! Instead what I saw was another example of a bunch of snob critics trying to sell me a chocolate covered lemon. I won't criticise each aspect because there isn't anymore time left to spend on this waste of a good two hours of time. Jennifer Hudson.....an Oscar.....for this.....FOGGEDDABBOUDDIT. And just when you thought Grease 2 was as bad as it gets. This is worse!
Notown - Rating: 2/5
With all the hype about this film/musical being based loosely on the Supremes, I expected to be treated to some 60s music, or at least an approximation of the Motown sound of the period. It seems as if the singers in this film have the talent to sell that sound, if in fact it had been incorporated into the movie, but it's not there. With the many references to the events and culture of the 1960s in the script I'd think the film would at least make an attempt to emphasize that unmistakable Motown sound, but I guess the context here is the 1980s Broadway show and its made-for-Broadway musical schlock and NOT mid-60s soul music. That is a shame and it ruins this film for me. Cue up any Supremes song from 1965-67 before you watch this film and then decide whether this stuff has anything to do with the kind of music they made.
If this is not important to you, if you think a film succeeds based on extravagant costumes, big Broadway-Vegas production numbers, lots of attractive faces, and utterly forgettable but loud music, then you may enjoy this.
a steaming pile of beep - Rating: 1/5
It was a struggle for me to sit all the way through this debacle. What this show represents is something close to my very worst nightmare: the American Idolization of golden era Motown.
There is no hint in this travesty of a movie of the spirit and genius that went into Berry Gordy's legendary dream factory. It's more like a bad soap opera rife with melodrama, clichés, and some truly awful acting.
Jamie Foxx plays a character modeled on the control-freak record label founder, and mostly walks around with his hands in his pockets, looking moody. But he seems more like a cartoon than a flesh-and-blood figure, and it's a big letdown in view of Foxx's considerable acting talents.
Eddie Murphy is cast as a sort of James Brown/Wilson Pickett/Marvin Gaye soul daddy, but he is never compelling in the role, to put it charitably. It doesn't help that his stage material is putrid; even if the songs had all the luster of those original Holland-Dozier-Holland nuggets, Eddie simply doesn't have the musical chops or the imagination to make the character believable.
You wouldn't think this would be a problem for the larger-than-life Beyoncé, but her portrayal of a pop sensation based on Diana Ross is surprisingly wooden and lifeless. There is no trace of emotional depth behind her blank Barbie doll face and her singing is as mechanical as a Detroit auto assembly line.
Jennifer Hudson's performance is especially tiresome. In true American Idol fashion, she confuses over-emoting with soul and interminable vocal pyrotechnics for heart and emotion.
Sometimes a movie is so bad it makes you laugh out loud, but I couldn't manage it in this case. I guess I'm too big a fan of the classic music that inspired this movie. It's saddening to witness one of America's foremost cultural achievements reduced to such piffle on the big screen.
Entertaining and Well-Editted - Rating: 4/5
I do give props to Jennifer Hudson for her performance whose voice is very strong in this movie and carries Effie quite well. I wouldn't have thought to nominate her for an Oscar, but she did well, and I'm glad she got it. It wasn't because she is a brilliant actress, it was because for a girl who got kicked off American Idol, she had a brilliant voice that was finally revealed. It is definitely Tony quality, but since it was in a movie, it's Oscar worthy. Secondly, for a newcomer to acting, her enthusiasm was decent. Dreamgirls is entertaining, dazzling, well-editted and well-put together. But no wonder it didn't receive Best Picture. It doesn't have the depth of Ray or the Grab-them-by-the-heart-strings sense that a Best Picture film should have.
Despite not being nominated, I though Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Danny Glover did a great job as well. This movie should have won at least for editting and costumes.
very enjoyable - Rating: 5/5
"DREAMGIRLS" was a great movie. I thoughly enjoyed every moment of it. The acting was excellent even for first timer jennifer Hudson.I wasnt a fan of hers on American Idol but I sure was in this movie.The music just blew me away,it was so good.
