Dreamgirls (2006)
Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy
Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women--Effie, Deena and Lorrell--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., who offers them the opp... (read more) Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women--Effie, Deena and Lorrell--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., who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early. 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. Although the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.
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PG-13, 2 hrs. 5 min.
Directed by:
Bill Condon
Release Date: Dec 25, 2006
DVD Release Date: May 01, 2007
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Flixster User Reviews
Not the best movie to see on an airplane with one working earbud while Jennifer Hudson belts in your ear. OW
They all got talent! Especially Jennifer Hudson, she's cool. :) I like the conflicts that really happened back when they're still racist, and how smart they overcame them. :) Love the songs very much
This is an entertainment.
Jennifer Hudson is not only great actress,but also singer.She's got a voice,talent.So has Beyonce.
I prefer Jennifer's voice than Beyonce's.
Bill Condon is a dreadfully unimaginative director. Fine performances, sure, but the "R&B" is sexless and twee.
An amazing movie that shows how important is to follow our dreams, and never give up, but also how the friendship is more important than anything else! Friends are always there for us... Recommend it to everybody!
5 Stars! Are you kidding? Bouncy (aka Beyonce) and Jennifer Hudson were amazing. Listen, One Night Only, I am Changing, Patience, Love You I do, When I First Saw You, Move, and of course, And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going have me singing until toda... (read more) 5 Stars! Are you kidding? Bouncy (aka Beyonce) and Jennifer Hudson were amazing. Listen, One Night Only, I am Changing, Patience, Love You I do, When I First Saw You, Move, and of course, And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going have me singing until today! =)
Enjoyable entertaining musical based on the story of Berry Gordy Jr and Motown but never once mentioning it. Sound performances all round but particular kudos must go to a resurgent Eddie Murphy and the vocally astounding Jennifer Hudson!
Musicals, should fulfill one of two things in my opinion. 1 - They should have excellent songs and 2 - They should have a great story upon which those songs perfectly fit. Of these two elements there is none more important than the other as they mus... (read more) Musicals, should fulfill one of two things in my opinion. 1 - They should have excellent songs and 2 - They should have a great story upon which those songs perfectly fit. Of these two elements there is none more important than the other as they must both be in synergy for it to work. Unfortunately for "Dreamgirls" neither of these elements are truly realised. Let's start with the songs. Set in the 60s and 70s the film does a good job at pastiching Motown songs but never really seems to get anywhere better than parody (Jennifer Hudson's rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" being the only exception). The tunes hit all the right notes in terms of the style but lack the emotion which then leads to lacklustre performances in the film itself. Loosely based on the beginning on the Motown label the film struggles when it comes to the story. The whole plot feels like it's on the cusp of something epic but it never quites get there. There are tears and there are laughs, but too many plot points are handled awkwardly and you finish the film sort of wondering what the point was. The cast (though seemingly quite capable) fail to deliver anything special with only Eddie Murphy really making an impression, but only because he's not playing multiple characters or being chased by children. Having said that, Jennifer Hudson, in her debut role puts in a fine performance infusing it with passion and real heart. In summary then "Dreamgirls" isn't a nightmare but it also isn't the greatest dream; it's just a bit of a sleep really.
Critic Reviews
It's a product that promises magic, and yet gives us nothing to live on.full review
Joy is defined as Dreamgirls, an ecstatic dose of pure top-down Motown tight-harmony effervescence that takes a hit Broadway musical about a Chicago girl group and turns it, miraculously, into a Hollywood delight.full review
If what you value in a movie musical is visual extravagance and a show-stopping performance or two, Dreamgirls will leave you with a feeling of absurd, unreasoning happiness.full review
This is the first important movie musical in decades about African-Americans and the first to deal with the revolution in civil rights and the mainstream success of black pop music.full review
A production so good it reinvigorates the movie musical, gives it grit and substance and returns it to glory.full review
It's not just the best musical of the year (there's really no competition); it's simply one of the best movies.full review
Jennifer Hudson is the heart and soul of Dreamgirls. When she's on the screen, the movie shines. When she's not, the whole endeavor suffers.full review
Audiences who go to Dreamgirls will have a good time, but theyll be going for old times sake rather than to encounter anything vital or new.
There's so much excitement around the opening of Dreamgirls... that I know I'm going to bring down the room by saying I think it's just okay. Well, Jennifer Hudson is more than okay.full review
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