Dreamgirls | 
| Director: Bill Condon
Actors: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson
Studio: Paramount
This item is no longer available
Rating:  296 reviews
Sales Rank: 6441
Genre: African American Cinema
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 131 Minutes
ASIN: B000S0DDG0
Theatrical Release Date: June 13, 2006
Release Date: April 22, 2008
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| Synopsis:
Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated. |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 291 more reviews...
 The Dream Continues... May 3, 2007
Alex Honda (Los Angeles, CA USA)
39 out of 47 found this review helpful
For those of you who aren't familiar with DREAMGIRLS it was a hit Broadway musical, created in 1981, based "loosely" on the real monster girl group The Supremes, Berry Gordy and Motown. And although it took almost 25 years to make, the movie version is spectacular.
Following the meteoric rise of the fictitious "Dreams," the story takes place in Detroit in 1962 and ends in Los Angeles in 1975. In between you witness the joy, sorrow and bitterness--as some dreams die, while others live. And being a period movie, DREAMGIRLS doesn't feel dated or unrealistic. It captures the excitement and turbulence of the 60s or at least the romanticized ideal of it...perfectly.
Anyway enough about the movie and on to the DVD.
This dvd set contains two dvds:
***DVD #1 FEATURE FILM; 12 EXTENDED/ADDITIONAL MUSICAL NUMBERS
I won't list the 12 songs but the title track "Dreamgirls" and the show stopper "And I Am Telling You..." are not part of this 12. With the exception of the song "Effie, Sing My Song," at least from what I could tell, most of these musical numbers are just different edits/film cuts than those that made it into the film. For instance, you'll see more of the performance rather than the cutaways to other scenes, which you see in the movie...so they're not sung differently.
What's good about this is that you get to see the entire performance of the opening acts(The Stepp Sisters, L'il Albert and The Tru-Tones, Tiny Joe Dixon) without the cutaway shots that show what's going on behind the stage. No additional lyrics: the songs are exactly as they are on the deluxe edition music cd of Dreamgirls: Music From The Motion Picture [2-CD Deluxe Edition].
One alternative musical number that's very different is the song "Effie, Sing My Song." In the movie, the lines are spoken. However they did film the song version where C.C. and Effie share a duet. And that's included here.
***DVD #2 DOCUMENTARY ON THE MAKING OF DREAMGIRLS; ORIGINAL AUDITION AND SCREEN TEST VIDEOS; FEATURETTES ABOUT THE FASHION, FILM EDITING, THEATRICAL LIGHTING; PRE-VISUALIZATION SEQUENCES; IMAGE GALLERY
In all fairness, I haven't seen the entire second dvd. The reason being is that the documentary on the making of DREAMGIRLS is nearly TWO-HOURS long! Running at one-hour and fifty-five minutes, the documentary called "Building the Dream" chronicles the journey that started as an idea from Broadway creators Tom Eyen, Henry Krieger, and Michael Bennett to finally becoming the most hyped and anticipated film of 2006. But don't worry, that's not the beef of the documentary. Most of it takes you behind the scenes of what it took to put this huge movie together from the set design to the casting; from the choreography to staying true to the original score.
It's a fascinating look at the challenges director Bill Condon faced when deciding to take on this project. I always thought that "Dreamgirls" would've been easy to make into a film because you already started with everything in place. How wrong I was! Not only are you competing in a genre not too popular today, but you have to compete with the beloved original. Well, I must pay homage to Condon. He pulled it off.
Anyway, the documentary is told through home video of the recording sessions, casting calls, set design, rehearsals etc., as well as principal cast member interviews and of course the main people working behind the scenes like director Condon, executive producers, choreographers, music producers etc.
If nothing else, this documentary alone is worth the extra price for the two-set dvd of DREAMGIRLS.
And for those of you die hard fans of the original Broadway show or soundtrack, who liked this movie version, will be happy to know that the song "A'int No Party" is supposed to be included in the "audition tapes" section of the special features. There is a snippet of it in the documentary and Anika Noni Rose was working that song. So I'm sure it has to be included in the screen tests. But even if it isn't, remember I haven't seen the entire second dvd, the documentary "Building The Dream" makes up for it.
Anyway, if you enjoyed the movie, you'll enjoy this dvd set. It's a dream that will give you "more and more." If you haven't seen the movie, well you're in for a treat. It's exciting and keeps you at the edge of your seat. And not being an action film, that's saying a lot!
One BIG voice January 9, 2007
T. Burger (Chicago)
32 out of 44 found this review helpful
During Jennifer Hudson's first song (I don't remember which song that was), I turned to my friend and whispered, "This girl lost?" I was, of course, referring to American Idol. For those who don't know this, in an interesting reversal of fortunes, Jennifer Hudson beat out former American Idol winner Fantasia for the role. And now, she's nominated for a Golden Globe, and has already snagged eleven awards (see imdb). Talk about life imitating art.
Translating a Broadway smash to the screen is never easy, but this seemed seamless, and the other cast members, specifically Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx, lent the film extraordinary believability.
I generally don't enjoy musicals, but listening to Jennifer Hudson sing was absolutely a revelation.
"Dreamgirls will never leave you." January 14, 2007
E. Bukowsky (NY United States)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful
"Dreamgirls" is based on the eighties Broadway musical hit (it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score). In 1963, three Detroit black female vocalists, the Dreamettes, start at the bottom but are willing to work hard to make it to the big time. Beyonce Knowles plays Deena Jones with cool elegance, Anika Noni Rose is an adorable Lorrell Robinson, and Jennifer Hudson makes her impressive movie debut as the passionate and irrepressible Effie White. Effie is overweight and average looking; she does not fit the mold of the typical sultry lead singer. What Effie lacks in conventional beauty, however, she more than makes up for with her outstanding vocal ability and stage presence. The lives of these three women change when they meet the ambitious and slick Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who arranges for the group to go on the road as backup for the sassy and flamboyant James "Thunder" Early, played to perfection by the amazing Eddie Murphy. Curtis has big plans; his goal is to break out of the "Chitlin Circuit," and garner the attention of mainstream audiences.
The story of Curtis Taylor parallels the meteoric rise of Berry Gordy, Jr., who helped shape the careers of many legendary singers and groups, including the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson Five. These artists, along with Gordy, created the Motown Sound that defined an era and changed the course of musical history.
Writer/director, Bill Condon, wisely keeps his main focus on the lives of his characters, whom we come to know and understand intimately. Danny Glover plays an agent from the old school who is quickly shunted aside by Curtis Taylor. In his determination to succeed, Taylor resorts to payola and other dirty tricks and when she becomes a liability, he dumps his lover, Effie. She is replaced by Deena Jones, a more attractive lead singer in Curtis's eyes, as well as a woman he would love to get to know a little better. Under Taylor's tutelage, the group, now known as the Dreams, soars in popularity and becomes a sensation. The story also touches on the civil rights movement (Effie makes a joke about Martin Luther King having a record even though he can't even sing!) and the social and cultural changes that were beginning to transform American society.
The film succeeds for other reasons in addition to its fine performances, including the beautifully staged musical numbers that sizzle with electricity, gorgeous costumes, fine cinematography, and skillful editing. There are a few flaws: occasional lines of stilted dialogue and some banal songs that fall short of the marvelous "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "Listen," and "One Night Only." However, these minor defects are offset by Condon's well-written script, which carefully avoids too much sentimentality and contains enough humor to keep the movie from taking itself too seriously. At the same time, Condon effectively explores the ugliness of racism, the price of fame, and the importance of loyalty and personal integrity. "Dreamgirls" works on many levels and it provides two hours of solid musical entertainment.
Now. Let's see the original! March 22, 2007
Dan Cutrer (Dallas, TX USA)
13 out of 19 found this review helpful
I claim the record for a Texan seeing the original DREAMGIRLS on Broadway well over 50 times, and at least that many more in various roadshows between the August '85 closing and the movie. The Imperial Theatre was packed that Sunday afternoon with DREAMGIRLS junkies, all of us having long before decided we'd be there for "the farewell performance." The live musical ended with Deena saying "Thank you, and goodnight." Except, this time, it was "Thank you. And Goodbye!" I'll never forget the guy in front of me yelling "GOODBYE!!!" The huge sign DREAMGIRLS in front of the Imperial was turned off that evening, for me much of the charm of Broadway and NYC was forever gone.
A roadshow director, introducing the performance, noted "This musical affects people in unique ways, many of them see in it parts of their own lives." He nailed it.
My concern with the movie was 'how badly would they screw it up.' I saw an early preview, was stunned that Bill Condon hadn't. Adding Loretta Devine, the original Deena on Broadway, as the singer in Chicago who performs at Jimmy Early's memorial was a huge surprise, she's gained a wee bit of weight.
Jamie Foxx was the only failure in the movie; he looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else than in it. The final cut of the movie trimmed even more of his role from the early preview I first saw. Just not enough.
I got "Little Miss Sunshine" to see why Alan Arkin won Eddie Murphy's Oscar. Life isn't fair. Eddie wuz robbed! Although, it's produced a trivia question, what two nominees died from the same thing in '07.
I see periodically in the NYC papers that producers are working to bring the original production back to Broadway. If you enjoyed the movie, you'll love the live-theatre version. The song Loretta sings was originally sung by a chorus at a recording studio where Marty has Effie waiting for the arrival of a songwriter who's got a great new song for her, "Marty, I been waitin' for hours, I heard so many doo-wops I'm ready to scream." "I'm sorry, his plane was late." "Who's plane? What's this all about?"
All Broadway shows are video'd for a reference library open only to scholarly researchers. It's not likely the rights for a commercial video release of the early 80's live performance could ever be obtained.
In the interim, get the September, 2001 two cd set from the 'one night only' benefit performance. The original soundtrack from the early 80's, when cd's were relatively new, omitted at least half the musical so it would fit on one cd. You'll understand what I'm writing about when you hear the September, 2001 two cd edition.
When the opportunity arises, add your votes for a video of the revival that, hopefully, will be coming back to Broadway within the next year. If you think the movie is powerful, see it live! And, hopefully, the producers will arrange to shoot the actual stage version.
"All you got to do is dream ..."
Eddie Can Sing! May 15, 2007
B. Merritt (WWW.FILMREVIEWSTEW.COM, Pacific Grove, California United States)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Musicals aren't really my thing. Many feel forced as the cast breaks out into song at the most bizarre of times. Cheesy is perhaps the best descriptor, but occasionally I enjoy a good toe-tapping flick if it's done right. And DREAMGIRLS is definitely done right. It certainly ranks up there with MOULIN ROUGE and CHICAGO as one of the more recently successful musical films, it too being a period piece (covering the late 50s through the early 70s).
Acting in these style of films tends to lend itself more to dance moves than actual roleplaying of characters, but there are two highly mentionable performances in Dreamgirls: first time actress Jennifer Hudson of American Idol fame, and a major comeback role for Eddie Murphy. Hudson took home Best Actress trophies from The Golden Globes, The BAFTAs, The Screen Actors Guild and The Oscars for her portrayal of Effie White, the powerful and ultimately embittered lead singer for The Dreamettes. Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early is surprisingly excellent, perhaps helping wash away the stains of DADDY DAYCARE and THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH from his more recent, acting, downward spiral. Murphy can sing alongside Hudson and Beyonce and hold his own, too.
The added entertaining fact about Dreamgirls is that there's an actual story behind the music, making this film much more watchable than many musicals which rely solely on their high notes rather than acting skill. This story is firmly entrenched in the early music industry as a "white-washed" form of entertainment, separating it from "black music"...until Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx, JARHEAD), a car salesman in search of more, jumps into the music biz and launches his own record label (Rainbow Records). Foxx's Taylor character is another smashing success for him in that he makes this man both lovable and despised as he turns from caring manager to control freak.
Likewise, Murphy's Early character is someone who's moral ground we're never quite sure of. He's a married man with womanizing tendencies, but he's also a musical purist, trying to create sounds that are true to him while at the same time dismantling what he once was (a great, yet small, singing sensation). His fall from grace hits the viewer hard as heroin, time, and his own industry begin taking their toll.
But veterans Murphy and Foxx can't hold a candle to newcomer Hudson's performance. She is the crux that holds the entire production together, and she does so with power, grace and a great emotional range. The ending is sure to choke-up many viewers.
The only complaint I can lodge against the entire film was within one small section where Effie (Hudson) breaks out into a long chorus about being wronged by Foxx and the other Dreamettes. This seemed rather awkward and I would've liked to have seen this acted out in dialogue rather than burst into song.
Still, this is a powerful musical film that deserves much praise ...and has rightfully gotten it.
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