Dreamgirls

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2007)

I can agree with the critics (giving it three stars out of five) the story seems similar to Diana Ross and the Supremes, and one or two songs slow the action, but it is still a fantastic film, based on the hit Broadway musical, from director Bill Condon (director of Gods and Monster, and scriptwriter of Chicago). Basically Deena Jones (Golden Globe nominated pop singer Beyoncé Knowles), Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) and lead singer Effie White (introducing Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson) are the African American R&B group, the Dreamettes, and after losing a talent contest, they meet ambitious Cadillac dealer Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx) who plans to break into the music industry, and as their manager he sets up tours to sing backup for R&B star James "Thunder" Early (Golden Globe winning, and Oscar nominated Eddie Murphy), after striking a deal with Jimmy's manager, Marty Madison (Danny Glover). Eventually, Curtis gives them the chance to be a real band, only if Deena is made lead singer, this is when Effie feels betrayed by her boyfriend. She goes along with it for a while, and The Dreams (renamed) become top-selling, but eventually Effie leaves when she knows Curtis has affections for Deena. Eight years later, Effie is depressed and looking after her daughter (Curtis's) Magic (Mariah I. Wilson), meanwhile Deena (now married to Curtis) & the Dreams, with new backing singer Michelle Morris (Sharon Leal) are still popular, along with Curti's Rainbow Records company, running many other pop acts. Jimmy Early's star is fading though, and he turns to drugs, and he eventually dies of overdose. Not long after, Effie gets a comeback single, but this does not help Curtis's success going towards meltdown, and the Dreams breaking up. The conclusion sees Deena and the girls giving a farewell performance, along with Effie being lead singer for the slower version of "Dreamgirls", and it ends with Curtis realising he is a Dad. Also starring Keith Robinson as C.C. White and John Lithgow as Jerry Harris. The singing and performances from the stars are incredible, especially from Hudson, the R&B, ballad and blues songs are magnificent, the dancing is well choreographed, the costumes are lavish and the editing is like a great music video, I love it! It won the Oscar for Best Sound Mixing, and it was nominated for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Song for Beyoncé's "Listen" (also nominated the Golden Globe), Best Song for "Love You I Do" and Best Song for "Patience", it was nominated the BAFTA for the Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for Henry Krieger, and it won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Eddie Murphy was number 67 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and Beyoncé Knowles was number 4 on The 100 Greatest Sex Symbols. Good!