Another 'Star Is Born'...

Rating: 9/10 (25 December 2006)

In the history of outstanding movie musicals, any singer/actress worth her talent has had "that moment." I certainly don't need to tell you what it is; you know the moment well, because each and every actress who has seized it and made something out of it has been nominated for an Academy Award for just about bringing the house down.
Liza Minelli singing "Maybe This Time" from CABARET.
Barbara Streisand singing "Watch Closely Now" in A STAR IS BORN.
Bette Midler pouring out her heart and soul with "Stay With Me" from THE ROSE.
In the chronicles of great performances, each woman has left an indelible mark.
And now, Jennifer Hudson joins them.
At the very least, this amazing performer is owed a nomination for what she does with the coveted role of Effie White in DREAMGIRLS. And right behind her is another dynamic portrayal that will shock and surprise a lot of people: Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early. Nowhere in the catalog of his past performances is there any indication that he was capable of something with this much depth and complexity. Whenever Jennifer and Eddie aren't on-screen, you can definitely feel the difference.
And that's not to say that everyone else doesn't do a bang-up job in their roles. It's just that both standouts are so amazing that they leave their co-stars in a cloud of stardust. Jamie Foxx is good, but nowhere near as dastardly as he should've been as Curtis Taylor Jr., the "villain" of the piece. Danny Glover is fine as Marty, and Keith Robinson shines as C.C., Effie's songwriting brother, especially in one of the show's most poignant numbers, "Family." Anika Noni Rose and Sharon Leal don't disappoint as Lorell and Michele, the third member of the group and the singer who eventually replaces Effie respectively.
And then, there's Beyonce. DREAMGIRLS was supposed to be her vehicle, and in the role that closely follows the career of a certain Ms. Ross, you couldn't want for a better actress. Though she's been pretty much content to play slightly altered versions of her own star persona in previous roles, she understood what it takes to play Deena and she is radiant in what has to be the best performance she has ever given on film, particularly with "Listen", a number written specifically for the movie.
Technically, in every department, everybody gets it right. Production and costume design, musical arranging, photography...this is a movie that will be scooping up some major awards and nominations.
And as admirably as every single cast member performed in this remarkable film, it still has to be said...sooner or later, they will all have their time to shine.
But right now...this is Eddie's time to come back strong.
And Jennifer's moment to take her rightful place in the pantheon of the stars who came before her.
The former contestant of "American Idol" now truly IS one.