Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]
Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 03/06/2007 Rating: Pg13The spirit of Motown runs through the long-awaited film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which centers around a young female singing trio who burst upon the music scene in the ’60s, complete with bouffant hairdos, glitzy gowns, and a soul sound new to the white-bread American music charts. Sound familiar? You aren’t the first one to draw comparisons to the meteoric rise of the Supremes, and despite any protests to the contrary, this is most definitely a thinly veiled reinterpretation of that success story. The Dreamettes–statuesque Deena (Beyonce Knowles), daffy Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and brassy Effie (Jennifer Hudson)–are a girl group making the talent-show rounds when they’re discovered by car salesman and aspiring music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). Sensing greatness (as well as a new marketing opportunity) Curtis signs the Dreamettes as backup singers for R&B star James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). But when Early’s mercurial ways and singing style don’t mesh with primarily white audiences, Curtis moves the newly-renamed Dreams to center stage–with Deena as lead singer in place of Effie. And that’s not the only arena in which Effie is replaced, as Curtis abandons their love affair for a relationship with star-in-the-making Deena.
Besides the Supremes comparison, one can’t talk about Dreamgirls now without revisiting its notorious Oscar snub; though it received eight nominations, the most for any film from 2006, it was shut out of the Best Picture and Director races entirely. Was the oversight justified? While Dreamgirls is certainly a handsomely mounted, lovingly executed and often vibrant film adaptation, it inspires more respect than passion, only getting under your skin during the musical numbers, which become more sporadic as the film goes on. Writer-director Bill Condon is definitely focused on recreating the Motown milieu (down to uncanny photographs of Knowles in full Diana Ross mode), he often forgets to flesh out his characters, who even on the Broadway stage were underwritten and relied on powerhouse performances to sell them to audiences. (Stage fans will also note that numerous songs are either truncated or dropped entirely from the film.) Condon has assembled a game cast, as Knowles does a canny riff on the essence of Diana Ross’ glamour (as opposed to an all-out impersonation) and Rose makes a peripheral character surprisingly vibrant; only Foxx, who never gets to pour on the charisma, is miscast. Still, there are two things even the most cranky viewers will warm to in Dreamgirls: the performances of veteran Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson. Murphy is all sly charm and dazzling energy as the devilish Early, who’s part James Brown, part Little Richard, and all showman. And Hudson, an American Idol contestant who didn’t even make the top three, makes an impressive debut as the larger-than-life Effie, whose voice matches her passions and stubbornness. Though she sometimes may seem too young for the role, Hudson nails the movie’s signature song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” with a breathtaking power that must be seen and heard to believe. And for those five minutes, if not more, you will be in Dreamgirls‘ thrall. –Mark Englehart
On the DVD
The two-disc edition of Dreamgirls includes videos, documentaries and other behind-the-scenes features. Diehard fans will love the almost two-hour “Building the Dream” documentary, which goes into loving detail about how the film got to be made. But it’s the shorter segments that really capture the viewer’s attention. The two auditions included in the set are a contrast in style. Pop singer Beyonce Knowles sells herself in full hair, makeup and costume; that she is a tad pitchy at times is almost beside the point. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose’s audition is a tour de force; singing strong and with conviction and passion, Rose is fully in character regardless of the fact that she isn’t dressed for the role. Oddly enough, the audition tape of Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her breakthrough role as Effie, is nowhere to be seen. Sure, we all know what a powerhouse she is today. But it would’ve been nice to see what the filmmakers saw in her back then, when her competition included her American Idol castmate (and that season’s winner) Fantasia Barrino. Hudson’s performance of “Effie, Sing My Song”–which was not seen in the theatrical release–is included in this set, as are 12 extended musical numbers. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a dance rehearsal choreographed by Fatima Robinson (who has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Jackson). Watching the rudimentary piece (with stand-ins subbing for the stars) come together gives the viewer appreciation for the intricate work that goes into each 3-minute musical number in the 130-minute film. Also included are a sequence of enhanced storyboards, a look at how the film’s editor went about editing the picture, and a look at how the costumes played a part in the film. –Jae-Ha Kim
Beyond Dreamgirls
 Other Musicals on DVD |
 More Motown on DVD |
 The Soundtrack |
Stills from Dreamgirls (click for larger image)
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User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars 2.5 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
When it’s at its best Dreamgirls is an aggessive and engaging musical, but too often it slides into slow scenes and uninteresting songs (We are a family/like a shining tree) while focusing on characters like Curtis (played by a thoroughly bored looking Jamie Foxx) that the audience doesn’t care as much about; Dreamgirls is a mixed bag but I suggest you pass.
5 Stars Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
If you lack soul, you won’t get this movie.
This movie is for those with a pulse.
Fantastic cinematography.
Fantastic sound.
Fantastic acting.
If you go into this movie with expectations, you will be distracting yourself.
Let it go and allow yourself to get immersed.
I bought this movie and sat on it for months before finally watching it today.
Wow!
I got sad, excited, cried, laughed, relaxed, stood up and clapped in ovation… all in one experience.
The tens of thousands I spent on my movie theater were worth it… just for this movie.
Wow!
3 Stars Average film - fantastic music
Technical a good bluray movie - but I think it was an average movie. Perhaps I’m not just into musicals…
5 Stars Show stopper!!!!!!
I have been waiting for a musical like this for a looooong time. Since the musical days of the delectable Annie and Oliver Twist and Julie Andrews, there hasn’t been a film musical that hit the note both musically and artistically. There have been many feeble attempts (with the exceptions of Chicago and Moulin Rouge) but musical lovers such as myself were left to only reminisce the good ol’ days - until the arrival of this film.
Almost all film versions of musicals cast actors who can sing. But this musical has cleverly casted singers who can act. There is not one weak link in this ensemble cast. Beyonce has come a long way as an actress and she takes on this role pleasantly. She is sweet, innocent and a darling - and she pulls off her weight beautifully with her magnificent voice. Eddie Murphy - what a pleasant surprise - the wise-ass donkey can sing his behind off!! Jamie Fox didn’t have a lot of singing (which was a bit disappointing as he has an incredible voice) but his presence in his acting definitely kept the film grounded. And then there was Hudson - what a performance!!! She is a show-stopper!!!! - the greatest discovery in the film. I’ve only mentioned the main players but even the extras who have a 10-second act are fantastic performers.
This film not only will satisfy you musically, it has heart and soul just like the music. Huge kudos to the director and the producers - and a sincere thanks from a true musical fan.
2 Stars Just bad
As the story of the Supremes, I wonder why they didn’t just make a bio-pic with the real music? As it stands, this is unsatisfying, and the original score is a screechfest that’s not even close to Motown in style. This reminds of the awful Bette Midler 70s pic, “The Rose,” another attempt to tell a star’s story without actually naming the star, in that case Janis Joplin. Eddie Murphy, as the Marvin Gayish singer, is sort of impressive here, but Jamie Foxx is expressionless as the Berry Gordy-like character. The dreamgirls themselves are forgettable. Watch it if you like ear-numbing screeching.
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