Dreamgirls

Director: Bill Condon

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose

The movie musical is back. The all singing, all dancing, star studded cast of Bill Condon’s 2006 “Dreamgirls” revives the musical genre and brings it into the popular culture of the 21st Century. Set in the 1960s, “Dreamgirls” is based on the Broadway musical and loosely on the famous Motown trio Diana Ross and the Supremes. It chronicles the rise to fame of a trio of soul singers from Detroit, Deena Jones (Knowles), Effie White (Hudson) and Lorrell Robinson (Rose), and all of the ups and downs which come with success. Approached by a manager, Curtis Taylor Junior (Foxx), after an amateur night performance, the girls suddenly find they are being whisked away to sing backing vocals for the infamous James “Thunder” Early (Murphy). But soon friendship is transformed by favouritism, jealousy, competition and betrayal when Deena is fronted to lead the band over Effie due to her romantic link with Taylor.

Popular at this year’s Oscars, “Dreamgirls” was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. It took home two Oscars, including Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role which was won by 2004 American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson.

A visually stunning film of glamorous 1960s fashion and energetic performances, the silver screen shines with Broadway music, spectacle and sparkling dresses. The talented leading ladies collaborate and celebrate a solid rapport and credible performances throughout. And they win big with their powerful and moving numbers taken from the original Broadway play, blended with new songs written especially for the screen, including Academy Award Nominated “Listen”, “Love you I do”, and “Patience”. The talented leading men offer memorable and convincing performances as star and manager, portraying their singing and acting skills unlike ever seen before on screen, despite no Oscar win for Murphy, or nomination for Foxx.

A fun and inspiring film, “Dreamgirls” captures the 1960s music business in all its glory: glamorous and rewarding but treacherous and greedy, a place where dreams are made and dreams are broken. Watching this dream factory tale is truly riveting will make you believe in aspirations once more.

Rachael Pilson-Wood