dreamgirls, a MUSICAL

Rating: 9/10 (9 January 2007)

dreamgirls is by every standard and regulation, a musical. If this is not of your taste, then the movie MAY not be to your liking, however you should not rule it out by just knowing this one simple fact. Yes, the movie portrays the struggle of African-American entertainers during this era as well as personal struggles that happen between all of us, of all races, but it does so in the form of a musical. (for those of you who don't know, a musical can consist of characters singing to each other to express dialog, songs that tell a story and do not necessarily rhyme, and people breaking out in song for no apparent reason) you don't have to like the music to enjoy the context of the movie and the message it portrays. My personal opinion is that this movie was extraordinarily beautiful, and having also seen the Broadway production, it was an even better rendition of the story. I'm not sure how good it would be without vocal powerhouses Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce' Knowles, but the story and the musical performances were filled with emotion and soul which is exactly what the movie is trying to send across to it's audience.