Review of Dreamgirls (2006) by Christopher G — 25 Mar 2010
Dreamgirls made a big star of Jennifer Hudson, but it also features good performances by other singers-turned-actors like Beyonce and Keith Robinson, as well as actors-turned-singers like Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy.
It's the story that mirrors the real-life origin of the Supremes. Three young women try to get their big break as a pop group named the Dreamettes. Effie White (hudson) is the strong-willed lead singer. They get noticed by executive Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Foxx) who catapults them to stardom. Along the way, he replaces Effie with Deena Jones (Beyonce) as the lead singer, which causes Effie to leave the group. The film chronicles ups and downs of superstardom and how cutthroat the music business is.
A musical--whether it be on stage or on screen--lives and dies by the strength of its songs, and frankly, I didn't really think the songs in Dreamgirls were all that memorable. They're well-constructed, but not many of them stick with you after the show is over. Even the showstopper, Effie's anthemic "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," doesn't have hook that keeps it in your head.
Nevertheless, the film is entertaining and sheds a light on all of the political positioning that went on in the Motown era.
This review of Dreamgirls (2006) was written by Christopher G on 25 Mar 2010.
Dreamgirls has generally received positive reviews.
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