 |  | Get Showtimes... |
Review #349 of 365
Movie Review of Dreamgirls (2006) [PG-13] 125 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $14.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 27 December 2006
Time: 8:20 p.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Bill Condon (Kinsey)
Screenplay by: Bill Condon (Kinsey) with book by Tom Eyen (Broadway Musical Dreamgirls)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Jamie Foxx (Miami Vice) • Beyoncé Knowles (The Pink Panther) • Eddie Murphy (Shrek 2) • Danny Glover (Barnyard) • Anika Noni Rose (Surviving Christmas) • Keith Robinson ("Half & Half") • Jennifer Hudson (debut) • Sharon Leal ("Boston Public") • Hinton Battle (The Wiz)
Soundtrack: Download now from 
— or — order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Over the years, Hollywood has attempted to convert numerous, award-winning Broadway musicals into films. The notion that is can be done and done well is noble for far more people will have access to the film version than the Broadway stage version. Unfortunately, too often the magic of the live performance in front of a live audience fails to permit itself to be translated into film reels and multiple takes. In fact, too often the result is nearly un-watchable. Worse the idea of people suddenly breaking into a song and dance number in the middle of a musical somehow seems almost charming whereas on screen it can seem corny and odd. So, writer / director Bill Condon greater-than-usual odds against him as he worked to bring Dreamgirls to the big screen. Admittedly, I did not see the Broadway musical version, which may be a good thing for my mind has no point of reference.
The first thing he did in creating what has turned out to be one of the most spectacularly entertaining films of the year, was that he chose to avoid a pure musical adaptation leaving most of the musical numbers and routines in their natural place where they belong, as performances by the Dream girl Dreams. When he breaks this trend, he also does so at times when it seems most logical and fitting. The second thing he did was assemble an incredible cast including Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, and the effervescent American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson. Finally, he unleashed the muses and permitted this bittersweet story of three young, female, Black singers from Chicago enter an amateur singing competition and their lives as they go from unknowns to international singing sensations to live a life of its own. Never before have I witnessed audiences applauding individual singing numbers during a movie. Rarely, I've heard and participated in applauding a film at its conclusion, but this screening of Dreamgirls was as close to the feeling one gets at a real Broadway musical as I've ever seen. It was unbelievable, rousing, brilliant entertainment.
The first thing he did in creating what has turned out to be one of the most spectacularly entertaining films of the year, was that he chose to avoid a pure musical adaptation leaving most of the musical numbers and routines in their natural place where they belong, as performances by the Dream girl Dreams. When he breaks this trend, he also does so at times when it seems most logical and fitting. The second thing he did was assemble an incredible cast including Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, and the effervescent American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson. Finally, he unleashed the muses and permitted this bittersweet story of three young, female, Black singers from Chicago enter an amateur singing competition and their lives as they go from unknowns to international singing sensations to live a life of its own. Never before have I witnessed audiences applauding individual singing numbers during a movie. Rarely, I've heard and participated in applauding a film at its conclusion, but this screening of Dreamgirls was as close to the feeling one gets at a real Broadway musical as I've ever seen. It was unbelievable, rousing, brilliant entertainment.
"…the musical and acting performances were rousing, kinetic, electrifying, and undoubtedly the best of the year in the comedy/musical category…absolutely worthy of a second viewing with rousing audience participation "
The story pulled loosely from the history of the Supremes featuring Diana Ross, quite literally is one of personal and paired triumph against the odds of discrimination, poverty, and self-destruction. As the three singers, Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles), Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose), and Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) lose out in the contest, they are suddenly faced with a surprising opportunity to sing back up to the rising star of Negro Radio and the R&B charts, James 'Thunder' Early (Eddie Murphy). It seem that he is in need of backup singers having alienated all of he previous ones with his amorous and overly affectionate, married man ways. A smooth operator who knows a good thing when he sees it, Curtis Taylor, Jr. seizes this moment to manage the girl group which will now be called The Dreamettes and books them for a long road tour with James Early. As they travel, the girls become more and more confident, and Curtis's plans for the group begin to collide with those of James Early's long-time mentor and manager, Marty Madison (Danny Glover). After a fiasco of a performance at a club in Miami, Curtis decides to spin off The Dreams into their own act, with Deena fronting the group instead of Effie. In no time, his gambles pay off and the group starts to soar. Unfortunately, no one will play their music on the radio, and one of their best songs, written by Effie's brother, C. C. White (Keith Robinson), is stolen by a white pop group and taken up the charts. So, Curtis resorts to using payola and mob money to get the group's songs some air-time. The gamble pays off as they quickly sweep up the R&B and then pop charts putting the Dreams on the cover of every magazine. As time goes by, however, Effie grows to resent both Deena's affection for Curtis whom she has claimed to be her man, and Deena's fronting of the group. This jealousy boils up eventually causing a near collapse of the group. Instead, Curtis simply replaces her with another singer and changes the group's name to Deena Jones and the Dreams. The rest of the story shows the gradual erosion and continuous scandals brought upon the group and Curtis Taylor due to his nefarious and shady business and personal practices.
Both the musical and acting performances were rousing, kinetic, electrifying, and undoubtedly the best of the year in this category which the Golden Globe® awards dub musical/comedy—something the Academy Awards® voters have refused to do. I've always doubted the logic of a musical/comedy category and believed a three-way split of comedy, drama, and musical would make more sense. In any case, Dreamgirls should be a strong contender for a nomination for Best Picture regardless of the categories employed on the basis of the caliber of the writing, music, lyrics, and acting in the film. The only weaknesses in the film were occasional lapses in the editing of the scenes. The film diverges into separate stories, for example, at one point when Effie is expelled from the group. As it then travels along these separate strands, it does so for too long causing a bit of distraction and wonderment as to what is going on in the others at the same time. A more intertwined approach to the edition would have helped this drawback considerable. While Eddie Murphy turned out to be a pretty good choice to portray James Early (I had no idea he was this much of a singing showman) as he is capable of the character transformation required throughout Early's career, the fit was still not a perfect one. Castingwise, everyone else was as if destined to play their roles. Beyoncé especially reigns supreme as one of the most gorgeous and stunningly beautiful women in the world. Her elegance, grace, and fantastic vocal range, made her the ideal choice for Deena Jones. Then there's Jennifer Hudson whose voting off of American Idol mid-season may have been the best thing to ever happen to her. She's got a Golden Globe® nomination and a memorable part in one of the year's best films. Jamie Foxx has his career back on track after a series of duds in Miami Vice, Jarhead, and Stealth. Danny Glover's performance was a bit understated as if he would have benefited from some Caribou Coffee® on the set, but otherwise, as indicated, the entire cast of stars literally illuminates the screen.
Both the musical and acting performances were rousing, kinetic, electrifying, and undoubtedly the best of the year in this category which the Golden Globe® awards dub musical/comedy—something the Academy Awards® voters have refused to do. I've always doubted the logic of a musical/comedy category and believed a three-way split of comedy, drama, and musical would make more sense. In any case, Dreamgirls should be a strong contender for a nomination for Best Picture regardless of the categories employed on the basis of the caliber of the writing, music, lyrics, and acting in the film. The only weaknesses in the film were occasional lapses in the editing of the scenes. The film diverges into separate stories, for example, at one point when Effie is expelled from the group. As it then travels along these separate strands, it does so for too long causing a bit of distraction and wonderment as to what is going on in the others at the same time. A more intertwined approach to the edition would have helped this drawback considerable. While Eddie Murphy turned out to be a pretty good choice to portray James Early (I had no idea he was this much of a singing showman) as he is capable of the character transformation required throughout Early's career, the fit was still not a perfect one. Castingwise, everyone else was as if destined to play their roles. Beyoncé especially reigns supreme as one of the most gorgeous and stunningly beautiful women in the world. Her elegance, grace, and fantastic vocal range, made her the ideal choice for Deena Jones. Then there's Jennifer Hudson whose voting off of American Idol mid-season may have been the best thing to ever happen to her. She's got a Golden Globe® nomination and a memorable part in one of the year's best films. Jamie Foxx has his career back on track after a series of duds in Miami Vice, Jarhead, and Stealth. Danny Glover's performance was a bit understated as if he would have benefited from some Caribou Coffee® on the set, but otherwise, as indicated, the entire cast of stars literally illuminates the screen.
(Click Broadway Musical Poster to Purchase)
Dreamgirls had been slated to be made time and again since the 1980s with the names of Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill in the lead roles, but the timetables and production kept getting pushed back. Congratulations to Paramount and Dreamworks SKG for prevailing and for David Geffen's support in bringing this outstanding film and wonderful musical, at last, to the masses. This is one of the few films of December 2006 thus far released absolutely worthy of a second viewing with rousing audience participation.
Back to Top | W.I.P. Scale™ | Most Recently Reviewed Films | Films of 2005 | Films of 2006
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Dreamgirls (2006)
Cast Members
Jamie Foxx
• Beyoncé Knowles • Eddie MurphyDanny Glover
• Anika Noni Noni • Keith RobinsonJennifer Hudson
• Sharon Leal • Hinton BattleScreenwriter / Director
Bill Condon
| Book | Soundtrack | DVD |
| Broadway Soundtrack | VHS |
| Dreamgirls Baseball Cap | Dreamgirls Coffee Mug |
Dreamgirls (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Given the failures of Broadway musical to film adaptation, writer / director Bill Condon faced greater-than-usual odds as he worked to bring Dreamgirls to the big screen. In creating one of the most spectacularly entertaining films of the year, he avoided a pure musical adaptation leaving most of the musical numbers and routines in their natural places. Likewise, he assembled an incredible cast including Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, and the effervescent American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson. Unleashing his muses permitted this bittersweet story of three young, female, Black singers from Chicago who enter an amateur singing competition and their lives as they go from unknowns to international singing sensations to live a life of its own. The audience was literally applauding individual singing numbers throughout. It was the closest to the feeling one gets at a real Broadway musical as I've ever felt.
1 comment:
I have not seen the film yet, but I was lucky enough to be working in the entertainment press in Boston on the night that "Dreamgirls" opened for out-of-town tryouts. So I got to see/hear Jennifer Holliday sing that amazing song live for the first time! So many years later, I still remember the power of that performance.
Post a Comment