Dreamgirls Review

Based on Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen's 1981 Broadway hit, "Dreamgirls" is academy award winner Bill Condon's ("Chicago") latest foray into the musical genre. Condon both directs and writes this parable which, apparently, bases itself on the history of Motown, The Supremes and the controversy that surrounded their success.

The set up is simple enough - plucked from obscurity by ambitious small time record manger and car salesman Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), The Dreams, a small time trio of would be soul divas, are given their opportunity to rise to the top. However the road to success isn't an easy one. On top of this battle for success comes the uneasy tension that is rooted in Taylor Jr's unhealthy fixation with The Dreams backing singer Deena (Beyonce Knowles). Matters for the band worsen when Taylor Jr. demotes lead singer Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) to the chorus line and instates Jones as his new front runner.

Featuring an ensemble cast which also includes Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover, "Dreamgirls" perfectly displays the diversity of the players at hand. While both Murphy and Foxx are outstanding, credit must be given to the debutant Jennifer Hudson whose rip roaring vocals and bedazzling screen presence have rightfully seen her nominated for an Academy Award. The songs however are a mixed bag. Certainly for the first hour audiences are treated with perfect replicas of soul shaking party numbers and husky, smooth, bluesy love songs. Unfortunately the formula starts to tire and for a film that clocks in at 130 minutes this is somewhat cumbersome. Nonetheless, "Dreamgirls" is a lot of fun and is the perfect slice of entertainment that this medium was designed for.