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Dreamgirls
Directed by: Bill Condon
Starring: Jennifer Hudson
Genre:
Musical
Run Time: 131
min.
Release Date:
December 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Musicals aren’t really my thing. Many feel
forced as the cast breaks out into song at the most bizarre of times.
Cheesy is perhaps the best descriptor, but occasionally I enjoy a good
toe-tapping flick if it’s done right. And DREAMGIRLS is
definitely done right. It certainly ranks up there with MOULIN ROUGE
and CHICAGO as one of the more recently successful musical films,
it too being a period piece (covering the late 50s through the early
70s).
Acting in these style of films tends to lend itself more to dance moves
than actual roleplaying of characters, but there are two highly
mentionable performances in Dreamgirls: first time actress
Jennifer Hudson of American Idol fame, and a major comeback role
for Eddie Murphy. Hudson took home Best Actress trophies from The
Golden Globes, The BAFTAs, The Screen Actors Guild and
The Oscars for her portrayal of Effie White, the powerful and
ultimately embittered lead singer for The Dreamettes. Eddie Murphy as
James “Thunder” Early is surprisingly excellent, perhaps helping wash
away the stains of DADDY DAYCARE and THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO
NASH from his more recent, acting, downward spiral. Murphy can sing
alongside Hudson and Beyonce and hold his own, too.
The added entertaining fact about Dreamgirls is that there’s an
actual story behind the music, making this film much more watchable than
many musicals which rely solely on their high notes rather than acting
skill. This story is firmly entrenched in the early music industry as a
“white-washed” form of entertainment, separating it from “black
music”...until Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx,
JARHEAD), a car salesman in search
of more, jumps into the music biz and launches his own record label
(Rainbow Records). Foxx’s Taylor character is another smashing success
for him in that he makes this man both lovable and despised as he turns
from caring manager to control freak.
Likewise, Murphy’s Early character is someone who’s moral ground we’re
never quite sure of. He’s a married man with womanizing tendencies, but
he’s also a musical purist, trying to create sounds that are true to him
while at the same time dismantling what he once was (a great, yet small,
singing sensation). His fall from grace hits the viewer hard as heroin,
time, and his own industry begin taking their toll.
But veterans Murphy and Foxx can’t hold a candle to newcomer Hudson’s
performance. She is the crux that holds the entire production together,
and she does so with power, grace and a great emotional range. The
ending is sure to choke-up many viewers.
The only complaint I can lodge against the entire film was within one
small section where Effie (Hudson) breaks out into a long chorus about
being wronged by Foxx and the other Dreamettes. This seemed rather
awkward and I would’ve liked to have seen this acted out in dialogue
rather than burst into song.
Still, this is a powerful musical film that deserves much praise ...and
has rightfully gotten it.
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Image from Dreamgirls
DVD cost: $25.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Loretta Devine, featured
in the film as a jazz singer, originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in
the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls in 1981.
Movie Quote: "What
you need is a break. I'm gonna give it to you."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Dreamgirls
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