FamilyFans Movies

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DREAMGIRLS (PG-13)

Plot Summary: A trio of black female singers climb from unknown status to stardom, and learn about life, love, and sacrifice along the way

Reason for the Rating: Language, some sexuality and drug content.

Wow. I had heard a lot about this movie before seeing it, watched interviews with the actors and saw clips and trailers, but all that did nothing to prepare me for this musical movie. Dreamgirls is full of amazing music, acting, and cinematography, and is a movie you don’t want to miss.

Dreamgirls is the story of three black soul singers in the 1960s who want to make it big. One night at a talent show they meet Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), a car salesman who wants to break into the music business as well. He not only offers to become their manager, but insists they become the new back-up singers for James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). The girls, Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyonce Knowles), and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) are thrilled to be back-up singers to one of the rising stars of R&B, but only take the job when Curtis promises to get them their own record deal as well.

All is well until Curtis realizes Jimmy will never be able to cross over into pop music, as his style (think “James Brown”) is just “too black” at this point in history. As a result, Curtis breaks the “Dreamettes” away from Jimmy and creates a new group, The Dreams, replacing plump and outspoken Effie as the lead singer with slender and gentle Deena. For the good of the group, Effie swallows her pride, until the group goes international, and then she just can’t take it anymore, making life miserable for everyone. Against her desires, Curtis replaces Effie with a new Dream, Michelle (Sharon Leal). While Effie struggles for the next few years, the Dreams make it big, seeming to really be living the dream. But backstage, in real life, the dream of happiness is as elusive as sleep for an insomniac. Just out of reach.

There have been movies made telling “rise to fame” stories of many musicians, both fiction and non (Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash just last year), but none have been told in the way Dreamgirls tells its story. Originally a musical on Broadway in the 1980’s (interesting fact: the original part of Effie was written to be played by Nell Carter, until she left for Gimme a Break), Dreamgirls was adapted for the big screen, with four new songs added to the screenplay. The music and choreography maintain the feel of Broadway, but the cinematography is all Hollywood. The sets and costuming are beautiful, and the acting superb.

What sets this movie apart from other Broadway musicals turned movie (ie, Chicago) is Jennifer Hudson. She has the most amazing, larger than life voice, and is perfectly cast as outspoken Effie. She gives life and personality to the three girls who make up The Dreams. As she draws you in, she makes you want to stand and cheer for her success. There is an old movie called “A Star is Born,” and that is what this movie is for Jennifer Hudson. If you want to see a star being born, go see this movie.

In addition to Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy is surprisingly great as Jimmy “Thunder” Early. Who knew Eddie Murphy could sing? And with a string of comedies behind him (Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, and Shrek, to name a few), who knew he could act in a serious movie without one comic crack? He is convincing as this heroin-addicted, attention-starved, wife-cheating musician who so desperately wants success, but won’t sell his soul for a few records.

FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:

You will want to see this movie. Not only because it has been nominated for Golden Globes, and probably a few Oscars, and not because it includes actors like Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover and Eddie Murphy, but because it is all around fantastic…you might even want to go out and get the soundtrack after seeing it.

AFTER THE SHOW: 

• What is a dream you would like to pursue?

• Is it ever acceptable to deny someone else’s dream so that you can pursue yours? How do you weigh moral/ethical choices involved? Explain.

• How would you rate your family relationships? If so, how do you express those sentiments to your family?

JW

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