Standout Performances..but TOO "HOLLYWOOD"

Rating: 9/10 (13 December 2006)

After having an opportunity to see a "sneak preview" of the movie, I enjoyed it thoroughly. However, it wasn't true to the cast. It was so "hollywood" infused that some of the integrity of the movie is totally lost.
For example, James "Thunder" Early was NEVER a drug user in the play. That's so "urban stereotypical" and you can tell that a primarily "white" writing staff was used to create the screenplay. There was a lot of sexual situations...and Deena's part really isn't the Lead. With all the Oscar buzz about Jennifer Hudson, let's be fair: Jennifer Holiday won for best lead performance at the Tony's...not best supporting actress (which Sheryl Lee Ralph garnered a Tony nomination). Beyonce is a so-so singer and "decent" actress. Upon reading Ralph's comments about Beyonce portraying Deena as the "lightening" of her character on so many levels, I can see why she was a bit upset. Deena is lighter skin wise (yes this is important as Ralph states that the original producers wanted obviously black-looking singers)and performance wise she is a "lightweight".
I also wished that other actors from the original play were infused into the plot or at least made a more significant cameo than Loretta Divine did (a jazz singer..that's kind of a slap in the face to the woman who created). I've read many articles from the former Broadway artist who are a little more than upset that they were not reached out to (esp. Jennifer Holiday who has been "cool" in her response on her character's portrayal). It was a very personal piece of work as the original artist helped to shape and create the rolls and the play.
We can see star power sells in a Hollywood obsessed with ticket sales and image. I sort of wish that it was more true to the original. Otherwise, the singing, acting, and all was entertaining.