Dreamgirls is such a Dream....

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2007)

From Academy Award winning director, Bill Condon comes the adaptation of the Tony Award winning musical, Dreamgirls, that inspired a generation. The adaptation stars Grammy winner Beyonce Knowles, comedy stars Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, and American Idol 3rd Season 7th place contestant Jennifer Hudson in her screen debut.
The film tells the story of three diva wannabe's (Knowles, Hudson, Anika Noni Rose) and their rise to fame and decline of humanity. Bill Condon does the film much justice keeping the energy alive from beginning to end. Jamie Foxx plays "Curtis Taylor" manager of the group who starts rattling the cage of friendship, vanity, and esteem. Foxx who since his Oscar winning role in Ray has been trying to take on more serious demanding roles and personally, it's hard for me to take him seriously as an actor. He is the weakest link of the cast but does a decent job with his villain character. His musical numbers do fall a bit flat on the emotional level and have no memorabilia for the viewer post-film.
Beyonce Knowles completely surprises in her role of "Deena Jones," a pretty face but second in the talent department. Knowles brings a great humanity to her role and truly shines in the musical number "Listen" which she co-wrote. While Knowles isn't at the top of some casting directors lists, she does have some talent and could become a serious actress in the future. While being campaigned as a lead performance for Oscars, she is undoubtedly supporting. Some could even go as far as call this an ensemble piece but the show and film is completely about "The Dreams" lead/former lead singer "Effie White" played amazingly and beautifully by Jennifer Hudson.
Hudson engages herself in the role and while the role demands a great voice for her show-topping number "And I'm Telling You," the acting aspects never fall short. "Effie" makes the viewer nervous in her angry rants, and sympathetic in her breakdown scenes. How can she be supporting when it's all about "Effie?" I guess the Academy didn't want to deny her or Helen Mirren an Oscar, which I guess is fair.
Eddie Murphy is still as funny and charming as ever and gives his best performance in years. While his "Jimmy 'Thunder' Early" is completely rapturous and appraisable, Murphy sneaks up on the audience with a groundbreaking performance that shatters the viewer. We never knew Murphy had it in him. His screen chemistry with Anika Noni Rose is the great parts of the film for him especially with "Lorell Loves Jimmy," brief and simply powerful.
The rest of the cast, Danny Glover, Keith Robinson, and Sharon Leal give good performances but all with very limited screen time. The champion of the film besides Hudson is Director, Bill Condon who finds such passion in this project. He is amazing in his choices of scenes and cinematography along with never leaving the source material and not copycatting.
Dreamgirls is a sensational picture and wonderful musical-cinema experience. It's a dream come true indeed.
Grade: ****/****