Dreamgirls

[Brian in Mesa]

Dreamgirls

Release Date: December 15, 2006 (NY, LA; wider release: December 25; wider release: January 19, 2007)
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures (Paramount)
Director: Bill Condon
Screenwriter: Bill Condon
Genre: Drama, Musical
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for language, some sexuality and drug content)
Website: Dreamgirls

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson, Keith Robinson, Bobby Slayton

Plot Summary: Twenty-five years after first bringing Broadway audiences to their feet, the Tony Award-winning musical sensation "Dreamgirls" comes to the big screen starring Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Beyoncé Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember"), Danny Glover (the "Lethal Weapon" franchise), newcomer Jennifer Hudson, Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Broadway's "Caroline or Change") and Eddie Murphy ("The Nutty Professor," "Dr. Dolittle").

Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women—Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose)—who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

Rounding out the main cast are Keith Robinson ("Fat Albert"), Sharon Leal (TV's "Boston Public"), and three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle ("Miss Saigon," "The Tap Dance Kid," "The Wiz").

"Dreamgirls" is being directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award® winner for his screenplay for "Gods and Monsters," which he also directed, Condon received another Oscar® nomination for his screenplay adaptation of "Chicago." He more recently wrote and directed "Kinsey."

Academy Award®-nominated producer Laurence Mark ("Jerry Maguire," "As Good As It Gets," "I, Robot") is producing "Dreamgirls," with Patricia Whitcher ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "The Terminal") executive producing. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger.

 

[DeAnna]

This was one movie I was anxiously awaiting since I never got to see the Broadway show. I'm a huge fan of Motown and adored The Supremes when I was little. The movie (and play) are based on The Supremes and Berry Gordy Jr's relationship with Diana Ross.

I absolutely loved, loved, loved this film. It was shot so that it makes you feel like you are watching a stage show, not a film. A few times I wanted to stand up and start clapping. Jennifer Hudson's voice is amazing! (I was later told she didn't make the finals on American Idol, wow)

Loved Eddie Murphy's performance and he did his own singing. He was part James Brown, part Ottis Redding. Jamie Foxx was ok; his performance seemed a bit bland.

The music, while very good, didn't really seem to be all that "Motown-ish" (at least it didn't resemble what I remember Motown music being all about (Temptations, Martha and Vandells - you know, that kind of sound).

All in all I'd give it 4/5 rating.

Spoiler

A couple of other differences; in real life, Berry Gorry and Diana Ross did have a 6 year affair and a 'love child' which didn't become public knowledge until about 10 years ago. The real life Effie (Florence Ballard) was a much sadder tale; she ended up in poverty and died a the young age of 32

 

[Louis]

Watched it today. Loved it.

I actually liked Jamie Foxx's performance and believe it was the best of the bunch. That was a great performance and I now forgive him for making that movie with Jessica Biel.

Jennifer Hudson's vocals were absolutely amazing, both of the big songs (And I'm Telling You and Changing) were done beautifully and even better than the praise she's been getting.

As much as I liked Eddie Murphy's performance I can't help but imagine Donkey getting his groove on at the end of the Shrek films.

All of the songs were great, some of the critics complained about too much singing...it's a musical for crying out loud, of course there is singing.

4/5

 

[DeAnna]

some of the critics complained about too much singing...it's a musical for crying out loud, of course there is singing.

Movie critics...argh...It was a Broadway show, for God's sake...done in an 'operatta' style. Actually the film has a lot more dialogue than the stage show. Same thing with "Evita."

 

[phillycard]

Pretty damn good flick. Eddie's performance was very good. Oscarworthy? I don't know about all that, but his character was very interesting. Hudson was good acting wise and singing. Beyonce was....Beyonce. So easy on the eyes that it made the flick that much better. The songs could have been better (seemingly not authentic enough for that period) but this was an enjoyable movie.

 

[Dback Jon]

Watched it last night. I have been looking forward to seeing this for awhile (I rarely go to the theatre, so wait for things on DVD.

Very touching story, loved Jennifer Hudson!! Of course, I have been a fan of hers since American Idol (she SHOULD have won that season).

 

[Bada0Bing]

I recently watched this one. I liked it much more than I was expecting to. I usually have a short attention span when it comes to musicals, but this one was much different for some reason.

It's hard to believe that this was Hudson's first movie. She was pretty darn good.

Wikipedia has some great stuff on this one.