Finally! They get it right!

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2014)

You've got "One Time Only" to turn a hit Broadway show into a great movie musical, and in the case of "Dreamgirls", they managed to avoid it going down the path of "Man of LaMancha", "Mame", "A Little Night Music", "A Chorus Line", "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Nine" for hit shows that ended up becoming missed opportunities. All is well in the world of the "Dreams", the fictional version of the Supremes who won the hearts of musical theater fans back in the early 1980's and made a huge star out of Jennifer Holliday who belted "And I Am Telling You" right out of the Imperial Theater.
The Holliday has switched to the Hudson for the role of Effie White, the power-house singer based upon the real life Florence Ballard. While Jennifer Holliday won a Tony Award, Jennifer Hudson went home with the Oscar, and in tribute to both ladies, they would later perform the big Effie number later together. Ms. Holliday continues to play this role in various theaters around the country, while Hudson's status as a star once rejected by Simon Cowell proves that what "Simon Says" doesn't always ring true.
For a "fictional" biography of the Supremes, you have to have a great Deena Jones, the glamorous representation of Diana Ross. Unlike the real "Miss Ross", Deena Jones is presented as somebody who might have stardom within her reach, but her "diva" presence isn't as strong as her real-life counterpart. She is certainly more down-to-earth and seemingly sweeter, not to cast a shadow on Diana Ross's character. She just comes off as somebody much more approachable than the real legend. The current day top diva of the pop world, Beyonce, brings a very likable quality to Deena, absolutely sympathetic to Effie's situation and more than compassionate when she learns the truth about what transpired between her and Curtis (the magnificent Jamie Fox). Rising Broadway star Anika Noni Rose is fantastic as Lorrell, the third of the original "Dreams", but her role isn't as well developed as Effie and Deena, although it is clear that her character is based on Mary Wilson.
Giving one of his all-time showiest performance, Eddie Murphy is phenomenal as James "Thunder" Early, and watching his breakdown is as heartbreaking as the real-life destructions of various great artists who became legends way before their time should have been up. Danny Glover is "Earth Father" as the older adviser, and Keith Robinson shows much vulnerability as Effie's brother who is torn between a rock and a hard place when it comes to choosing between his own ideals and his love for his sister.
One of the reasons that the original Supremes are so important in music history is that they helped integrate the world of pop music. White audiences took them to their hearts, and that is certainly obvious in how the "Dreams" are portrayed. The obvious comparisons between the fact and fiction is very present with a young boy obviously playing Michael Jackson, and if you see the Broadway musical "Motown", you will see why some critics called that show basically a re-tread of "Dreamgirls", only with the real names attached. The racial tensions which lead to riots in the 1960's in Detroit where Motown was located and where this partially takes place are covered in both stories, so it doesn't matter if you're listening to "Stop in the Name of Love" or "One Night Only", the importance of the political and social story is equally as important.
Original Broadway "Dreamgirl" Loretta Devine makes a nice impression in a small role, and several other Broadway favorites turn up in smaller parts. While "Dreamgirls" has not returned to Broadway since the late 1980's, a recent tour did stop in New York, ironically at the Apollo, where part of this also takes place. The fast-moving and engrossing drama, surrounded by a fantastic score, will keep you riveted. When Jennifer Hudson sings her song of atonement, "I am Changing", you may find yourself in tears, and when Beyonce sings the original "Listen" (written for the movie, included in the most recent tour), you may be standing up cheering as well. Bravo, Hollywood, for turning our "Dreamgirls" into a movie musical dream come true.