Dreamgirls - Review

Comment on “Dreamgirls”

Note: This website is not intended for use by minors. The views expressed in this comments section are not necessarily our own. Comments that we deem to be poorly worded, off topic, or threatening will not be published. For free, uncensored discussion visit our forum.

1. Peter Blalock Says:
   December 6th, 2006 at 00:35

   Don't write a review if you don't have a basic understanding of what a Broadway musical is. This is at it's core a musical score with very little book to move it along. It was concived and ment to be this way. If you want a in depth character development look elsewhere. This movie will be a watershed, landmark achievement mark MY words.

1. Josh Says:
   December 6th, 2006 at 00:36

   When I want to see a Broadway musical I'll go see one. For now, we're talking about a movie.
   
   Film and stage are two very different mediums. What works in one, doesn't necessarily work in the other one.
   
   I understand what they were going for, and said as much. I just don't think it works on screen.

1. Pippa Says:
   December 6th, 2006 at 17:01

   Thanks for the honest review. I am a lover of the broadway version of Dreamgirls and was afraid that was going to happen with the movie. Maybe somehow on broadway you can get away with the story line being VERY simple with very little character development, but NOT in movies! I guess the soundtrack will live on.

1. chris Says:
   December 8th, 2006 at 04:59

   sweet revenge, soon. you'll see this movie soar. and you'll know the hype is more than deserved.

1. Lisa Says:
   December 11th, 2006 at 17:39

   I think that the moive will be okay but it does not hold a candle to the original stage play. I think it is unfortune that Beyonce is getting al the hype for this movie when Jennifer Husdon is really the lead role and will sing circles around beyonce.

1. Bob Says:
   December 16th, 2006 at 14:40

   I was fortunate enough to see the film last night in Hollywood - introduced, no less, by Bill Condon ... which was very cool, since anyone who lives here in Hollywood - and attends the Arclight Theatres knows that they have an on-person usher to introduce every film. But I digress - - - is it better than the stage version? worse? different? Bottom line: it doesn't matter. The movie is one freakin' good time, Jennifer Hudson does indeed steal the show - but the entire cast is quite, quite good. Oh - and the inide visual joke regarding Supremes' album covers is a hoot!!! (Note to fans of Destiny's Child: The Supremes are the reason Destiny's Child even exists.) Anyway - have a swell time when you see it - - - it's a blast!

1. robin Says:
   December 16th, 2006 at 17:07

   Stop the Press!!!
   
   
   Jennifer Hudson stole the show!!!!!!!!! Did anyone audition for Beyonce's part, I could have and won , I can 't act. Who told her she could act or sing for that matter? I guess beauty accounts for something.

1. Phyllis Scott Says:
   December 26th, 2006 at 14:50

   Who hyped Beyonce? Certainly not Beyonce. Why hate her because she's beautiful? She hasn't a mean bone in her body. She may have thought about it--but naah, she can't be nasty. It's not in her make up and later she would regret it to her soul. She's doing what every self-respecting artist does to promote one's product, be it a new CD or new Movie--you get out there! Give this woman a break--she did a good acting job in Dreamgirls and did what was required of her in the singing department. Where's the flaw? I admire her courage in the face of so much negativity. She was great! Jennifer was great! Eddie was great! I love you, Jamie and Anika! All associated with this film should be applauded.

1. Veronica Says:
   December 28th, 2006 at 02:01

   While I must admit it is a wonderful movie, yet it leaves a sour taste in one's mouth. This movie has been talked about for such a long time, that everyone knew the main character was Effie. However, now that it is time to promote the movie and sell tickets it is Beyonce, not Jennifer, that is getting all of the praise.
   
   The one thing that comes to my mind is that this truly shows how things in life are never fair, and it also shows that people in higher power are not at all what you should strive for in life. It took a lot of courage and grace to except being placed as the support instead of being the lead that she should been. Jennifer is a wonderful person and will continue to shine long after this movie is over...
   
   Think about it this way: How can you promote a movie based on Rocky and have Steve Urkel be the lead...
   
   BUT THEN AGAIN THAT'S LIFE FULL OF CRAZY TURNS...

1. Gloria Goodman Says:
   December 29th, 2006 at 22:20

   I saw DREAMGIRLS Christmas Day with every show being sold out. It's a wonderful movie that Jennifer Hudson steals every scene she's in. It's a Motown concert and great fun. Eddie Murphy was terrific, in fact everybody was good, even Beyonce but you won't remember her for acting, no way as it isn't her movie ... I really hope Jennifer wins her golden globe best supporting nomination & that she's nominated for an oscar which I think she will. Her performance singing AND I AM TELLING YOU was riveting ...

1. Nia Says:
   December 31st, 2006 at 13:08

   I saw the movie and of course their was much to be desired...I also saw when the cast was on Oprah, and who the hell told Beyonce that "Listen" was better than Jennifer and "I'm telling you"? Beyonce does have some skills, but believe it or not she does have a mean streak (my b.f is Kelly R.'s cousin), met her a few times...anyway... She's just has a supporting role in this film, but I guess they think it's ok to include her in the "starring" catogory. Why isn't Anika getting any credit?!?! If she and Beyonce were supporters, why isn't her name listed also as "starring"...I liked her in this movie! Her acting was better than most "urban" flicks I've seen....
   
   I'm just saying...

1. Jessica Says:
   January 4th, 2007 at 14:56

   I saw Dreamgirls the day after Christmas and I was floored. I was not a Jennifer Hudson fan when she was on Idol but I am now! Her vocal talent is unbelieveable and surprisingly, she can act. Too bad her name isn't listed on the movie poster as one of the stars because it was her rendition of "and I am telling you" that caused people in the theater to stand & CLAP as if they were watching a live performance and it brought tears to my eyes. I know the movie is cliche but it is well performed and beautifully directed...kudos to Beyonce for hitting the high notes in "listen" and I have never seen a more genuine performance from Eddie Murphy...a must see for music lovers
   Plan to buy the DVD when it is released

1. Karin Says:
   January 7th, 2007 at 22:32

   Dreamgirls is awesome and the whole cast did a great job. I’ve never seen the Broadway production but I know Jennifer Hudson’s voice made me sit up and take notice! If you'd like to talk more about the movie please check out the official movie boards at www.dreamgirlsmovie.com/boards

1. Vee Says:
   January 23rd, 2007 at 00:23

   Don't believe the hype, The emperor is nude!.
   
   I have to admit Dreamgirls was a pretty movie I really do like pretty movies. But even all the eye candy wasn't worth my money. First I will say that I am a Black woman who is passionate about music. I grew up on musicals, I came of age during the Motown era and I loved that sound . What so really offended me about this movie was the weak, bland, nondescript, whitebread soundtrack. They call that R&B ? I dont care how many people stood up and applauded for JH. When you go to a black musical with a black audience and at no time during the movie do you see heads bobbing in rhythm to the music something is up my friend ! It's not about stereotypes just the lack of raw energy, true soul and feeling in the music. White America crossed over to Motown not vice versa. Other than "not going" for me there was no memorable song in that movie. Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen could have at least given us the benefit of some assistants, consultants or collaborators to create at least a decent imitation of the music of that time. GEEZ! I also found it interesting that everyone thought Eddie Murphy was so great. I thought he seemed disinterested. Funny he made a comment at the golden globes about "working for free" That was my impression.

1. gavin rose Says:
   February 7th, 2007 at 17:45

   I think a "beautiful disaster" is a bit much. Let's face facts this is a fun movie. It is not meant to initiate deep discussions long after you have left the theater. I agree, critique is important but lighten up, you all. As for the young lady who spoke about black music, I am a child of the sixities and unless you forget, motown was not the only game in town. There was Dionne Warwick and host of others with different singing styles and lest you forget the music of the supremes was more crossover, NOT R&B in its strictest sense. Quite franky I am a black man and I get tired of all this "Its not black enough" drivel that black folk so often quote.So just enjoy the film, and move on.

1. MARK MARK Says:
   February 12th, 2007 at 11:10

   If Dreamgirls fails to stir emotions of struggle and pain associated with the music industry, then you've probably never been an artist, trying to make it in the music world. The industry demands your heart and soul, then often takes the best of what you've given and hands it over to someone that "wears the suit better than you do."
   
   Many talents out here are exceptional, but can be short, fat, or hopelessly average looking people like most of us may well be. At this point, you are out of the picture. You never receive a dime for a product that you may have spent months thinking about a couple hundred hours of recording time. ....You take your ideas, submit them to a record talent scout or executive, and the next thing you hear is YOUR song being sung by someone famous who never met you.
   
   The lives of many talented performers are often filled with animosity and even hatred for popular performers, as we sometimes hear our song(s) on the radio - a work that was created by "me," the unknown musician or talent that may be your next door neighbor, coworker, or friend.
   
   
   When you know how much it takes to develop a truly good piece of music, you realize that stage performers simply "PRESENT" finished "ideas" of usually a dozen or more "studio musicians, a team of recording studio technicians, several "local individuals or small town groups that submitted the song to a record company for consideration probably a year ago.
   
   The chord progression or words are usually altered just enough to avoid a lawsuit, then turn-up on "well-known" recording artist labels just months later." That's why you hear about "popular artists sometimes being sued by some unknown who has the guts to make the challenge." However, the business is good at hiding the origins of good and valuable musical ideas.
   
   Meanwhile, your favorite stage artist simply focuses "their time" working out in the gym, practicing choreography routines, reviewing contracts, resolving performance booking problems, and actually touring from city to city.
   
   How much time does one "really" have to think about the complexities associated with the development of just "one good song on the radio?" Try sitting in front of a piano and write a complete song every four weeks that includes your vocals, instrumentation, percussion tracks, licks, a great hook, a well designed bridge, and finalize the wrap-up so the song works from start to finish. Then, try hiring the right musicians that won't screw up what you wrote, adding their stuff into your stuff, and plan on spending a couple thousand dollars to pay for studio time to get each song recorded, mixed down, and finished as a workable song that could be sold for money. Hope that the public in-fact likes your music. If not, spend thousands more and try again next month.
   
   And while you're doing that, you might be interested in paying your rent, buying groceries, making car payments, keeping your insurance paid, and raising a couple of kids.
   
   ..........It takes work, review, rewriting, finalization, performing, and tweaking what you hear when you finalize a good song that you created. Takes years sometimes to make a masterpiece of sound. It takes just seconds to steal it.
   
   Dreamgirls is so real people that it’s a little scary. Musicians often start out as friends. Business gets in the way. Talented musicians use. Making life look plastic represents "acculturation." Talent without a record contract often means public assistance. How do you keep private - a product that is inherently supposed to be shared? What happens after you fail to become a popular artist? What do you become after the music is over. Who remembers how good of a musician you were - other than those who you worked with?
   
   This movie becomes SO GOOD that it MUST BE "BAD" - and not because it's not a greater film of this decade, but because the truth in life is usually not a "pretty picture" and of course - we didn't come to the movies to embrace reality, we went to escape FROM IT.
   
   Dreamgirls is truly the a powerful message of this era – a tale wrapped around the hard knocks of the music industry - inside a movie about Black perspectives, packaged within an “easy to swallow” musical concerning African-Americans forty summers ago who dreamed of winning an Oscar in 2007. Dreamgirls once again - just wasn't white enough for many us, but then there is always "The Wiz" from 1978.
   
   
   

1. Kurt Says:
   June 17th, 2007 at 11:18

   Dreamgirls the movie was a total disappointment. Eddie Murphy was the only high point of the entire film. His character, Jimmy Early, was so much more interesting than the Dreams that I wanted to see more of him and less of them.
   
   The Dreams first song together after leaving Jimmy is Dreamgirls, the title song but they are dressed like something out of the 50's instead of the 60's. Jennifer Hudson, though I like her, looks ridiculous in a skin-tight dress and the girls, though dancing together, don't look like a group. They moved together but they are not in sync with each other and their moves are clunky, nothing like the real-girl groups of the 60's who were sexy and light on their feet. (Watch any clip of The Ronnettes, Supremes, Three Degrees, etc. and you'll see what I mean.)
   
   The next horrific number they do is "One Night Only." I nearly puked. First, the Broadway version of Dreamgirls is untouchable because it understood why girl groups were so important to soul music. In the 50s and 60s, Black male performers found it difficult to cross racial lines but not so with women. Motown, like most soul recording labels, were looking for the ultimate girl group to carry their music across all barriers. But the girls had to be so sweet and lovable that no one would realize it was really men, standing in the background, writing their songs, playing the music, etc. So, the girls had to look soft, beautiful and coy. But this is not the case in the movie version which is supposed to be loosely based on fact. In the movie, The Dreams show up wearing pants to sing their sexy and hyped up version of "One Night Only." To make matters worse, in the opening notes of the song, one of the girls touches both her breast and private area. This is something no Black female performer would have done on stage during the late 60s and early 70s.
   
   Now, to top this off, the girls are surrounded by men carrying strobe lights like spears as if they're doing the 'Dance of the Shaka Zulu Warriors Just Before The Sacrifice.' The lights look like a phallus symbol and was too far over the top. Any director with half a brain and understanding of the message each clip sends to the viewer would have noticed this. This was just a bad direction choice by Condon and poor choreography. Both of which stem from a lack of understand of the importance of the music and the image African-American people were trying to create during the most turbulent years of this nation's history.
   
   But everyone was falling over themselves to praise Jennifer Hudson and slam Beyonce although Beyonce was and is a much better actor. She stayed in character and was believable throughout the movie. Yes, Jennifer sung a great song but any heavy set, Black woman with a powerful voice can sing that song and bring the house down. I've heard a dozen different women sing that song and it moves me every time because the song itself is so powerfully moving.
   
   I believe everyone was praising Jennifer, not because of her talent, but because of the memory of Florence Ballard, (one of the original Supremes). For some reason, people believed that praising Jennifer for her wooden performance and slamming Beyonce for a praise-worthy acting job, some how made things right for Florence and slap the wrists of Diana. Nothing can be further from the truth especially since Diana's lawyers are rumored to be preparing to sue the movie for royalties. If Diana's lawyers win, (and they usually do), Ms. Ross will be laughing her way to the bank over 30 years after leaving the Supremes. All thanks to a stupid film that shouldn't have been made by this director. Bill Duke would have been a much better choice.
   
   Condon's version of the Dreamgirls gets a big fat C-! Thanks Condon for butchering a great play.

1. mimi Says:
   November 4th, 2007 at 15:04

   how long does the movie last ?
   does it finish wen fiiffy or w.e her name is sings at that crystal place n went to the doctors?
   plz reply me if u nop plz email me on sxc-mimixXx@hotmail.com x
   

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Security Code (required)