DREAMGIRLS is how you turn a Broadway musical into a very good film!

Rating: 9/10 (25 December 2006)

Twentyfive years ago I had the great pleasure of seeing two of the most powerful stage performances in the same day. I went to a matinée of NINE with the amazing Raul Julia, that evening I saw Jennifer Holiday in Micheal Bennett's DREAMGIRLS. This was a week before the Tony's and I was in musical theatre heaven! I also thought, at the time neither film would ever make it to the screen...well not as they were envisioned for the stage.
Twenty five years later director Bill Condom sends a long overdue dream of a valentine to Micheal Bennet with his very original adaptation of DREAMGIRLS. OK, I'm with the crowers about Jennifer Hudson's performance but the film goes beyond her greatness. I actually loved Eddie Murphy, an actor I've despised since he was on SNL. Beyonce Knowles is beautiful and get this, she can act...she is a movie star.
I hope all the hype won't hurt it for the major Oscar nominations.
After failures like THE PRODUCERS, ANNIE and A CHORUS LINE I'm very happy that somebody got it right.
DREAMGIRLS creator Micheal Bennett would be proud!