Overlong with some lack of drama in the story, but the soundtrack and performances are incredible

Rating: 7/10 (22 December 2011)

Dreamgirls drew me in for my love of musicals, a good cast and a promising director. And I personally found it a decent film. Perfect? No. Terrible? Again, no.
It is overlong, with some scenes in the middle that drag and some that have a lack of drama to them. The quality of the script is also uneven, with some funny, touching and witty parts, and then some that feel forced and underdeveloped.
However, while Dreamgirls is not as strong an overall film as Gods and Monsters and Kinsey, Bill Condon brings a lot of energy into his direction. The beginning of the film is interesting and well paced and the finale is even better.
Visually, it is a very beautiful-looking film, with glossy (but not too much) production values and good editing.
The soundtrack is simply incredible, there is lots of it and all of it is memorable and worthwhile, especially Jennifer Hudson's numbers. Beyoncé's Listen is also well worth a mention, what a powerful and meaningful song that is. And what can I say about the performances. Hudson proves she can act as well as sing, Beyonce sizzles, Jamie Foxx is suitably earnest and Anika Noni Rose is believable with a character that grows throughout the film.
Eddie Murphy was a revelation. I have very rarely if at all have seen this softer side to him, but looking at him here you wouldn't know that. True, his singing while far from bad is not as good compared to Hudson and Beyonce, but you don't mind when his acting is as good as it is.
Overall, I liked it even with its imperfections. 7/10 Bethany Cox