A composite retrospective on the music of Soul and Motown

Rating: 8/10 (14 February 2007)

This is a large, beautiful movie that stays true to its roots. Based on the book and lyrics written by Tom Eyen, the movie is an adaptation of the musical play of the same name that debuted in 1981.
Condon dedicates the movie to the director-choreographer of the play, Michael Bennett, who died in 1987 of AIDS complications. He keeps the spirit of Bennet's creation intact with a bold, insightful, entertaining gem of a movie with dynamite acting and musical performances.
The story is about three young women, a composite of the Supremes and Aretha FranklinBeyonce (~Diana), Anika, and the American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson (~Aretha) who as the Dreamettes meet up with a young promoter, Curtisa Barry Gordy Jr. surrogate played by Jamie Foxxat a Detroit theater in the early 1960s.
Initially performing backup with James Early (a combo of Jackie Wilson and James Brown, and others, played by Eddie Murphy), Curtis turns the Dreamettes into the Dreamgirls and promotes their considerable talents all the way to the top of the musical world. The sets of Detroit and environs, LA, and other entertainment venues are uncannily realistic.
The movie makes unsubtle commentary on the cuthroat nature of the music business and the racism back in the day that enabled popular white singer labels to steal the music of rising black bands. But the main thrust is the pure singing joy of Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and especially Jennifer Hudson who plays the brassy, complex, moody Effie.
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Brian Wright Copyright 2007