Dreamgirls

DREAM GIRLS

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: sensuality, language, and brief drug use

Rated:

Three girls, one dream. In the early 1960’s, three friends formed the unknown soul group the Dreamettes. They are made up of the youngster and most insecure Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), the beautiful and modest Deena (Beyonce Knowles), and the lead that is the most talented of the group, Effie (Jennifer Hudson). They have the dream of someday becoming big time stars, and their first step is to try and win a small contest. There, they meet Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx) a manager for musicians who is always looking for the next money maker.

After losing the contest, the girls feel defeated and as if this may be their last opportunity at fame. Curtis overhears their conversation and tells them he is there to give them their big break; singing back-up for the Mr. James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). The girls accept the offer and head out on a ten week tour with James and his band. The three are living the dream…they finally have new and more stylish stage dresses and are backing one of the most famous singers in the music world. After the stint on the road, the Dreamettes begin to have a reputation and Curtis has decided to break them from James and give them their own group. They are elated to finally have their life’s dream, but a rift forms between the three when Curtis decides to go with a new sound and chooses Deena over Effie for the lead. Effie, who has been dating Curtis, is hurt and angry over his choice. Lashing out, she has a difficult time coming to terms with Deena’s new role.

As time passes, the group now called Dream Girls quickly gains fame and fortune. But the more Deena gains the spotlight, the harder it is for Effie, and she makes choices that might impact her role in the trip forever. The Dream Girls have a quick rise to fame, but it doesn’t always mean their lives will be easy…the pressures of deadlines, the constant media attention, the strain of friendships, but through it all dreams still live on. This was on my “didn’t care if I saw it list," but I was proved wrong. Just because a movie doesn’t appeal to you at first doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. It was a very well done production, from the acting to the dances and the costumes and special effects, everything was stunning. Some of the musical scenes were dazzling...four that I can think of stand out. While the first wasn’t as spectacular, it was very well done and made you really feel what the characters were at the time.

In their first appearance before the public, I loved the choreography. While the dresses weren’t the most appropriate, I love how they looked and with the long white gloves it gave it an elegant feel…everything seemed to be perfect. This movie surprisingly didn’t have as much content as I had originally thought and expected. However, it does have some negative and disappointing themes. James Early is married, but it doesn’t stop him from having one night stands and he attempts to get Lorrell. She turns him down on the bus, but we briefly see them in a montage together in bed. There is a lot of talk about how men like their woman. Effie once asks Curtis if he wants someone who is tiny like Deena or “a real woman." Conversation revolves around affairs; a woman tells her boyfriend she knows he is sleeping with someone else. An unmarried woman becomes pregnant. Some of the songs have suggestive lyrics, and many of the dance routines are sensual. At a photo shoot, a girl is portrayed as naked, but the camera doesn’t show any more than her back. Some of the costumes are inappropriate. A man uses drugs on one occasion; someone dies from an overdose also. Language is a problem, however. There are at least a dozen uses of sh--, along with various profanities.

This was originally on Broadway and because of that it has a musical feel to it, putting conversations to music. At first you aren’t quite sure that you like it, but as you get used to that, it was very well done and unique. There are about four or five sequences like this. Jennifer Hudson, the fifth runner up of American Idol, was who everyone was raving about in this movie. While I wouldn’t say she made the film, she was very good and deserved the Oscar. The whole cast made this movie, everyone was fantastic. The story was also very well written. After it was all over, I was glad that I watched it. It was a wonderful story about three girls with a dream and their life journey that teaches them that fame cannot bring happiness. In the end, all you have is family and friends, which are the most important.

If you enjoyed the Oscar winning drama Walk the Line, I recommend Dream Girls. While it is a different story with a different feel to it, it was just as good and both deserved the Oscars they won. Plus you will be raving about the scenes that were both glamorous, touching and even on occasion funny. It’s a spectacular musical journey.