I've seen "Dreamgirls" The Movie and it is...

[LA Guy]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:20pm

Absolutley stunning!

Being a member of one of the Guild's here in LA, I was able to go to an advance screening of the film. I was a little worried going in for two reasons - (1) there have already been a few reviews (Variety and Hollywood Reporter, for instance) that had differing views on the film, and (2) seeing these special screenings can be dicey, as the audiences may not have the same kind of passion and enthusiasm for a movie that you get sitting in a theatre with true fans.

Well, to address the first issue: while I understand the differing views and agree with some of the criticisms, the film is a masterpiece, and probably even better than "Chicago" if you want to compare it to other recent musical/film adaptations. In regard to the second, the crowd in the screening room was as ecstatic as I was, and totally broke into applause several times in the movie! There was even a few shout out to Ms Hudson...

Now in regard to the film itself, it is a truly engaging film, destined to nab a bunch of Oscar nods, and a shoo-in for The Golden Globes Best Comedy/Musical film!

Bill Condon has artfully crafted the film, and from the opening sequence to the end credits, you never feel let down. With stunning cinematography, incredible choreography, dramatic lighting and incredible costumes, there is NOT ONE weak link in the movie. He has carefully reconstructed the 70's feel and tone to the piece, without it ever seemingly cartoony or overdone. I was instantly transported back, and felt as though I was living the story alongside the on-screen characters.

Now about those characters - like the production elements, every single person, from Beyonce to Eddie Murphy, from Loretta Divine to Danny Glover, gives perhaps the performance of their career. And yes, everything you've heard is true, Jennifer Hudson is absolutely amazing! If there is one small flaw in the movie, it is simply that when she is not onscren and another story takes precedence, it lags somewhat (but never bores).

I was slightly concerned when I heard her voice on the trailer that it sounded a little hollow. But in the film, she rivals the version emblazoned in all theatre-lovers heads - that of Ms Holliday. But Hudson truly holds her own, and establishes herself as both an praise-worthy singer, but also an incredible actress. (She will also be the new role model to gays and drag queens everywhere!!!)

Beyonce, as well, does an amazing job, as does Anika Noni Rose, who's character adds some needed humor to the proceedings with her wide-eyed naivity and optimism.

Keith Robinson, as well, should be in for some nods in the coming award season, as his performance as CC White (Effie's brother) is both touching, heartbreaking and mesmerizing.

For you Broadway fans, Hinton Battle (the original 'John' in "Miss Saigon") also puts in a great performance, acting as Curtis Taylor's right hand man.

The new songs, "Listen", "Patience" and "Love You I Do," are all Oscar-worthy, and maintain the style and feel of the original songs (a tricky feat as we saw with "Move On" from Chicago, which felt like an "add-on" as opposed to being integrated skillfuly into the movie). "Love You I Do" (sung by Hudson) has a sweet sound, very 50's do-whoop style, while "Listen" is a great ballad (by Beyonce) that firmly establishes her character as an individual, and not just the creation of Curtis.

The one song that I was disappointed was missing from the film was "Press Conference," but I imagine they didn't include this to have the Deena character appear more sympathetic vis-a-vis Effie, making Curtis the true "villain" of the film.

I don't know what else to say about the film, as I try to anticipate potential questions you may want the answers to... but overall, aside from maybe like 10 minutes of the movie, DREAMGIRLS is a wonder to watch, and won't disappoint!!!

(It was so good, I am going to another Guild Screening Wednesday!!!)

Updated On: 12/5/06 at 09:20 PM

[wickedfan]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:46pm

Great review, La Guy, and I completely agree. The movie was phenomenal. Also, I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but Ken Page has a cameo as the night club owner where Effie gets her second break. Also, Jaleel White (Urkel on Family Matters) has a small part as the stage manager for the talent show in Detroit.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:55pm

One thing I would have liked to see is Jennifer Holiday and Sheryl Lee Ralph in a small cameo (like Chita's in "Chicago"). Would have been a nice nod to them for establishing these incredible characters...

[Sylar2]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:34pm

Wow- thanks for the review---- it sounds awesome and I can't wait to see it. I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

[DAME]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:34am

"Keith Robinson, as well, should be in for some nods in the coming award season, as his performance as CC White (Effie's brother) is both touching, heartbreaking and mesmerizing. "

Great review but I think you over killed it just a bit with that statement. He didn't cause a impression on me at all.

[bk]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:49am

And I would say that while I enjoyed some of it, I thought it was a mis-fire on way too many levels, and I can't agree that the new songs are Oscar-worthy or even good - in fact, IMO, they're substandard. I thought Miss Hudson was terrific and that Eddie Murphy gave the best performance in the film. Jamie Foxx was too one note for my tastes, and the director spent too much time pandering to today's audiences (and admitted to doing so in the Q&A that followed the screening for DGA members) - he's so afraid of just presenting the book numbers that while they're there he shoots them as if they were PERFORMANCE numbers - i.e. both Family and And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going are shot on a stage with stage lighting effects, as if they were being performed rather than part of a scene.

I'm sure some will like it, but I don't think this is the sure-fire hit that musical theatre fanatics (mostly young) and the studio would like us to believe it will be. But, then again, maybe it will be - at this point, it's a crapshoot.

[silent]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:32am

The movie is great but I hate that Deena is written to be sympathetic. Deena has more depth in the play than in the movie.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:13am

Great to see you on this Board, bk ... occasionally (although it full of some great people) it could stand the occasional dose of reality.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:39am

BK - I can understand your comments, but to think that "today's" FILM audiences are going to like (or even accept) such scenes as book numbers is a little naive. Remember "Rent"? That was played exactly the way you suggest - with horrific results. People who want theatre go to the theatre, people who go to the movies want a movie. It isn't enough to simply put the stage show on screen, or the movie on stage (i.e. Producers, Mary Poppins)... Everything has to be adapted to fit the medium it is being presented in.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:44am

I found Deena to be a lot more sympathetic on stage. On stage, she seems as much a victim of Curtis's machinations as anyone else. She seemed more manipulative and less of an innocent in the film to me.

[bk]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:11pm

I think "today's" film audiences would accept what they were given if it was given well (Rent didn't do it well, nor did The Producers). I don't know - I watch The Music Man on film - it's great - no prob at all for me or any young person I show it to. Same with West Side Story, Oliver, Funny Girl, or any other decent stage to film adaptation. The problem with pandering to "today's" anything is that you never get people to grow, understand, or accept anything other than what they know and are comfortable - in other words, you get pablum, not art. It's been that way forever, and the films that take a chance and are brave and are good usually lead the way and then audiences accept and that becomes the norm for a while. IMO, anyway.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:44pm

BK -- I think your comments are astute. I have not yet seen this film but my DGA friends said they enjoyed it -- but for them it was just "ok". I didn't understand the context of AND I AM TELLING YOU in the preview. Why does Effie have the mike in her hand? I love this show, am dying to see it and hope the hype doesn't hurt it. I haven't been able to attend any of the previews and I am PEEVED!!

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:06pm

Are you sure it was a clip of "And I Am Telling You"? To the best of my recollection, she doesn't ever hold a mic in that song.

[luvliza89]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:10pm

I haven't seen the movie, but I think the mic holding sequence comes from Effie's "One Night Only". I could be wrong though.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:42pm

Garland Grrrl-that's a clip from "One Night Only" (though it's one that isn't shown in the film). "AITYING" is not a performance song in the movie.