Audiences love a movie that has rhythm. Last year’s Walk the Line would be a perfect example, delivering great performances and an infectious soundtrack to make a film that is fun to watch. But what about a movie with soul? Can that do the same thing? Enter the Bill Condon written and directed Dreamgirls to test the theory.
Dreamgirls is the story of three friends from Detroit, yearning to make it big with their smooth sounds and their unrelenting drive. The girls learn very quickly though (in the first scene of the movie, in fact) that you don’t get big without a little help. The trio of Deena (Beyonce Knowles), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Effie (Jennifer Hudson) are approached by smooth talking manager-to-be Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx), and with promises of singing behind James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy) and beyond, Taylor hooks the girls into hitting the road.
Soon after, the girls are given their own show and Curtis begins to make some changes. Effie, the biggest voice of them all, is replaced as the lead by Deena, igniting a tension that would ultimately force the group apart. It is at that moment that Jennifer Hudson begins to take over the film, articulating the fall and eventual resurrection of Effie with power and grace.
In one particular scene, in which Effie has finally been cast away from the group, she belts out the most powerful musical number in the film as Curtis walks out on her, leaving her broken and alone. It is at that moment when the realization comes along that Hudson is the heart and soul of the film, and everything else is just irrelevant.
As I am normally susceptible to the charms of a good musical, Dreamgirls was a joy to behold. The film gives off a soulful and glamorous aura, chronicling the rise of the three young ladies at a feverish pace. The story moves along so quickly, right from the beginning, that it keeps your attention despite being a bit hard to follow. Bill Condon, whose previous work included penning Chicago, handles the story well, developing the uniqueness of each character without wasting any time.
Article comments
1 - Kami
The whole cast did such a wonderful job, but for me Jennifer Hudson was the best surprise of all! I found myself immersed in the story and it went by much too quickly. If you'd like to talk more about the movie please check out the official movie boards at www.dreamgirlsmovie.com
2 - handyguy
I'd say one important aspect of the movie is rather lacking in soul: namely, the music. For a story that draws on the history of Motown and James Brown to have music so inferior to the best Motown and Brown songs is depressing. And the new ballads, "Patience" and "Listen," sound nothing like the period the movie is set in, and they are pretty tedious besides.
Yes, Jennifer has soul, and Eddie Murphy has soul [to spare!], and they make their songs better than the songs actually deserve to be. "Fake Your Way to the Top" in particular.
It's an enjoyable movie, but kinda plastic, especially in the second half. For some authentic soul, put on an Aretha Franklin or James Brown album from the 1960s or 1970s.