Movie Review: Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls

Let me be honest, here: I'm not a particularly big fan of movie musicals, and I don't like Motown music. I didn't know much about Dreamgirls, but I thought it would involve some Motown styling and I was entirely sure it was musical. Fortunately for the film and less so for me, the movie has been winning awards right and left (19 wins to date out of a current total of 46 nominations). The likelihood of Oscar™ nominations is strong at this point, and so I figured I'd better get it over with and buy a ticket to Dreamgirls. The good news is that the Motown sound was far from prevalent (Dreamgirls originated, of course, as a Broadway production, and the music largely reflects that). The bad news is that I still don't like movie musicals. But that doesn't mean I don't have anything good to say about this particular musical!

In the 1960's, a certain theater in downtown Detroit was holding an amateur night. The winner gets a week's paid bookings at the theater, and competition is fierce. Among those vying for the chance a win would represent are a trio of young girls who call themselves the Dreamettes. Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) act as back-up singers to the powerfully voiced Effie White (Jennifer Hudson, the former American Idol contestant in her acting debut). Unfortunately, the contest is fixed so despite their well-received performance, the girls don't win.

The contest does result, however, in the Dreamettes' ability to capitalize on the fact that the current back-up singers for James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy) have quit in a huff over the bad behavior of the boss. Erstwhile manager wanna-be Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx) suggests that the Dreamettes fill in. Effie's not keen on the idea of singing back-up for anybody, but the girls recognize that this is likely their big break and, with support from Effie's songwriting brother C.C. (Keith Robinson), they take the job.

Early doesn't really care who sings behind him as long as they're pretty. But Early's manager, Marty Madison (Danny Glover), is less than thrilled that somebody else is infringing on what should be his territory. Taylor, though, has matters well in hand. The used car salesman liquidates his entire inventory to collect enough cash to pay DJs to play some of Early's songs. In short order, Early is getting airplay, and Madison is out of the picture. But Taylor isn't done yet! He sees the Dreamettes as a group in and of themselves. He suggests they call themselves the Dreamgirls.

Taylor also has one more suggestion: He wants the beautiful Deena to sing lead, and the more talented but less attractive Effie to continue being a back-up singer. It's a tough sell, but Effie eventually agrees and the trio is soon on the way to the top. But on their way there, the women fight; engage in ill-advised love affairs; suffer rude awakenings; and lose the desire for their dream even as it's coming true. Meanwhile, oblivious to all but money (Taylor) and fame (Early), the main men in their lives push the girls harder and harder until something's finally got to give.

Jamie Foxx, of course, is no slouch as either an actor or singer (his stellar turn in Ray is ample proof of that), and he does just fine as Curtis Taylor. Beyoncé Knowles is a pleasant surprise who embarrasses no one (she took acting lessons before filming began and, unlike many other singers-turned-actors, they seemed to have paid off). She even has a particularly notable moment of her own as she sings the song "Listen" to the husband who won't (Knowles actually wrote the song, and has received a number of nominations for it). Keith Robinson, Sharon Leal, Anika Noni Rose, and Danny Glover (who doesn't sing, thank God) are also good. But as the repeated awards nominations might tell you, supporting category or not, the real stars of Dreamgirls are Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson.

Eddie Murphy takes on the persona of Jimmy Early and rides it all the way to the top. His musical performances are top notch; his acting is perfectly pitched to be arrogant or self-destructive, fragile or very much the man in charge by turns. There are people who call this a comeback for Murphy and, though I'm not so sure he ever really left, I understand exactly what they're saying and they're right: Murphy is proving in Dreamgirls that he can rise to great heights to do real justice to such a part.

For her part, Jennifer Hudson quite literally owns her role as Effie White. Not only does she have the considerable musical ability needed, but also the acting skills to truly appear vulnerable one minute and then, with visibly growing confidence, triumphant later on. Her defeats are devastating, and her every mannerism shows it; her highs are stellar, and we see all that, too. Consider everything you've heard about Hudson's rendition of the show's most famous tune, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Leaving." Consider the myriad superlatives used by critics and audiences, virtually without exception, everywhere. And then consider this: She's even better than that. I was (and trust me, this doesn't happen often) emotionally overwhelmed and completely awed by Ms. Hudson's performance.

Director and writer Bill Condon did a credible job of both (he also adapted Chicago for the big screen, and previously directed such well-received efforts as Kinsey and Gods and Monsters). In fact, there was only one moment that seemed more stage-like than screen worthy, and that frankly takes some doing. The sets were perfect, and the costuming — covering the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's — was spot on.

In fact, the only thing I didn't like about Dreamgirls is that it's a musical. But that's just me. If you like musicals, you'll like this one. And if you appreciate good performances, there are several here that will keep you happy. My single best reason for you to see this movie, though, is to give you the chance to get in on a little piece of Hollywood history: there's a star being born right before your eyes in Dreamgirls, and her name is Jennifer Hudson. It's worth the price of the ticket and then some for that indelible moment alone.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Dreamgirls is rated PG-13 for "language, some sexuality, and drug content." That's probably about right, but parents also need to know that there's adultery, gambling, sleazy deals, bribery, and other unsavory activities depicted as well. If you don't particularly care to have your child see that sort of thing, then Dreamgirls probably isn't the movie for them. With that caveat, I think Dreamgirls is fine for girls (boys won't much like it) of about 14 and up as well as for most adults.