Great Movie!!

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2006)

All I can say is, Jennifer Hudson is phenomenal!! I had a few problems with editing and what seemed to be holes in the plot (although I will admit that I have not seen the play). I would like to have seen more development of the character James "Thunder" Early as far as his drug use (and I would have liked the conflict with his wife played up also). Oh well, I can't always have what I want. Overall, I loved the movie.
The audience applauded during her rendition of "And I am Telling You". I'll admit, so did I. The girl literally gave me goose bumps. I thought she was a natural and played Effie with just enough attitude not to get on my nerves. The character played by Anika Noni Rose was funny, too, and I thought she did a great job in portraying her character's growth. Beyonce was better than I thought, however I'm not sure about the Golden Globes nomination. There was virtually no chemistry between her and Jamie Foxx, and I was a bit apathetic to her character. I thought Eddie Murphy did a wonderful job (the musical number he does when he pulls his pants down was hilarious), but Jennifer Hudson stole the show. I felt as though Effie was someone who I grew up with or knew from high school. I almost lost it when they did the ending "Dreamgirls" song and her daughter was crying.
I also loved the music and the costumes.