Movie Review - Dreamgirls

I've always like broadway musicals, it's in my gay gene. Ha! But more times than often, it translates badly into movies. 'Rent' was good and we had the thrill of seeing 'Chicago' on the big screen, but Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere are awkward at best. I guess people don't expect big stars to be able to sing and dance as well.

As a skit on MadTV had said, Dreamgirls follows the common story of how a star, or in this occassion, a group of songstress made it big much like previous movies like "Ray" or "Walk the Line". It is essentially the same plot for different race or gender or number of people.

The goup of girls call themselves "The Dreams", much like the Supremes in the 80s. Effie White, brilliantly acted by Jennifer Hudson, is a talented singer with a great voice, much like Aretha Franklin. Her brother C.C. is a great songwriter. With two other girls, they are great act that got discovered by manager Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx). They started up as backup singers for James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy) and then proceed to have their own act. One of the other girls, Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) lead their act because Curtis, being the controlling manager that he is, thought she was more attractive. Deena took all the spotlight and Effie left the group because she felt her talent wasn't appreciated. Deena eventually married Curtis and become a big star like Diana Ross. Effie struggles with life and goes back to singing which she was always meant to do.

This film is pleasing to the eyes and ears, but this story was told too many times before. I don't know why Beyonce would be the leading actress when Effie is the main character of this story. Jennifer hudson should have been the leading actress. Just because you are a bigger star in real life does not make you the leading actress of every film you're in. Hollywood is so convoluted. Otherwise, the film is good. A "B-" from me.