A dream of a movie (Dreamgirls (DVD))

Member Name: mrbusy62

Product:	Dreamgirls (DVD)
Date:	03/11/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good, songs, good music, good fun

Disadvantages: It risks going back to 'opera' occasionally

I knew little about this film except the song 'One Night Only' and later I realised I recognised 'And I am telling You', a song made famous from several X Factor performances over the years.

The film starts at a talent show with the 'Dreamettes' taking part in the hope of winning a spot to perform. Depsite dodgy judging and back handers they don't win. At this point enter Curtis who wants the trio to back up Jimmy Early played by Eddie Murphy. Effie eventually lets her diva go and the three embark on a tour of America as backing singers.

The film then charts the rise , fall and corruption of 'black music' following brides and gambling in order to get songs heard. When one of C.C's songs is stolen by a white artist the group of black musicians and promoters take exception and write a song that ironic tells the world exactly what they are up to. The result is that Jimmy Early tops the charts and the trio of backing singers are shot to fame. Despite the efforts Curtis decides that the trio would be better suited to the pop charts and introducing 'The Dreams' to the world.

However Effie, who previously sang lead is now backing and she doesn't like being sidelined. She is replaced by Deena, Beyonce Knowles. Ironically, Deena's mother comments that her daughter does not have the strongest voice, but this is part of a bigger plan. And for a nother slap Curtis shifts his affections to Deena from Effie.

The remainder of the film concentrates on the rise of 'The Dreams' until the fateful New Year's Eve concert where Effie quits in spectacular style and belts out the number 'And I am telling You' while full force.

Meanwhile 'The Dreams' continue to top the charts and Curtis tries to control Deena who is growing increasingly unhappy as the film moves on to the 1970's where Effie is on state benefits and living a meager existance. We learn that she has failed to secure work at any of the clubs and with the help of Marty Maddison she secures a gig in a small jazz bar. In the space of the song 'I am Changin', that will leave you with chills she turns her life around and is met by C.C. who has a song for her to sing. We then hear a very slow version of 'One Night Only'

Which Curtis then steals and gives to 'The Dreams' to sing as a disco number. Effie threatens to sue and comfortabley wins, but Deena feels betrayed and considers her place in life encouraged by Effie's success. At this point her singing becomes less Deena and more Beyonce with the new addition to the song book 'Listen' (you may recall Alexandra Burke was blown of the X factor stage when Beyonce sang with her in the final last year!)

And so 'The Dreams' give one farewell concert and if you don't have at least shivers never mind tears at the end you have a heart of stone. The ending is very well executed for a former stage production and lets just say that revenge is a dish best served cold.

To say this is the best musical ever would be a lie. It is very sold and as a piece of theatre ran for years. My main gripe with this film is the parts where people sing to each other. On the whole the songs are songs. as in they start, they sing, the end, they talk. there are one or two bits where they sing the words that could easily have been spoken. Unlike Rent which chanegd singing to spoken word this film keeps in some of the 'opera' style of the show.

The singing is superba nd Jennifer Hudson deserved her Oscar for playing Effie. Beyonce plays her part well and comes into her own when she gets the lead role but she has a heart and she plays to this advantage.

Of course, the singing and dancing make this film a bit more wow than if it had all been spoken. The dance routines are big and fun to watch as are the costumes. The New Years Eve costume are amazing and only outshadowed by the costumes for the finale.

This will not be everone's cup of tea but I would encourage even non musical fans to give it a try as it does not following films like 'Phantom' or 'Evita'. There are no magical characters or props to distract and no CGI or camera trickery. it has a real feel to it and though rumoured to be based on Diana Ross and The Supremes it hold hold a very real story and depiction of the struggles of the 'black' musician in the 1960's.

If nothing else, watch this to hear Jennifer Hudson sing 'And I am telling You' and Beyonce sing 'Listen'. The two diva also sing their versions of 'One Night Only'. I fnothing else,when they get led out to execution on X Factor you will know how they should be sung.

Summary: Great movie with plenty of soul