AK's Movie Reviews: Dreamgirls

I've never seen the stage musical of Dreamgirls but upon seeing the motion picture adaptation my belief is that putting this story onto film adds very little to the material other than some big name movie stars. The film plays like a slightly more produced piece of theater. Everything seems more or less contained within sound stages. There is little use of filmic techniques that make Dreamgirls seem like anything more than a filmed play.

The story, a loosely (and VERY loosely at that) veiled depiction of Diana Ross and the Supremes tells the story of a female singing trio known as the Dreamettes. They consist of Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), a fiery, buxom singer with a booming voice and an abrasive attitude. Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) is a tall, skinny, attractive woman who the manager of the Dreamettes sees as a better leader of the group due to her looks. Anika Noni Rose plays Lorrell Robinson, the quieter yet humorous woman who rounds out the trio.

The basic story of the Supremes is there; talented singer is replaced by a more marketable leading lady and the group goes on to huge success. What's gone from the story is any slight element of tragedy. Dreamgirls aims for a beautiful package with little room any of the real human elements (the fact that one of the Supremes died in poverty and that Diana Ross turned into one of the most unstable people in music isn't even touched upon).

The Dreamettes catch a break by earning a job as backup singers for James "Thunder" Early, in a very good performance by Eddie Murphy. Murphy's character is very reminiscent of James Brown both in singing style and dance moves. He is a womanizer and a substance abuser but the film only kind of touches on those elements. It's impressive that Murphy, who has spent his entire film career in comedic performances is able to break out of his shell and not only display his singing and dancing talents but his incredible charisma.