Dreamgirls

Rating: PG-13
Drama/ Musical

By Ma Sai-Ke Translated by Ann Lee

"Dreamgirls" is an American musical film that has a lot of outstanding features; you will be blown away by its original Broadway score and new songs performed by the actresses. Receiving several Oscar nominations, the movie is artfully rendered and marvelously produced in literally every area with striking, heartfelt performances by every cast member.

Based on the 1981 Broadway musical, this is a story of greed, hate and romance. Three young women, Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles), Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose), are striving to become pop stars, and get what they long for when they're picked to be backup singers for James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Then they're set free to become lead singers. However, Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx) is determined to make Deena a star, which upsets Effie.

Needless to say, since this movie is adapted from a classic musical, all songs are masterfully performed. Director Bill Condon gives a dignified representation of the elements that made the Broadway show so intriguing, particularly when it comes to wooing audiences. The film manages to fulfill the near impossible task of remaining truthful to its source material.

Dreamgirls" not only transitions seamlessly between spoken dialogue and musical numbers, but redefines musical storytelling by carefully utilizing the musical mainstay of "breaking into song" carefully, to highlight those moments in the plot when emotion builds to such a point that words are no longer an adequate expression. Four new songs were written for this movie and three of these were nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards--"Love You I Do", "Listen", and "Patience".

What is also especially interesting about this movie, though, is how it compares to the real world. "Dreamgirls" captures a golden era in the music industry, as the actresses conjure up the likes of Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Temptations, Jackson Five, and James Brown. Almost beyond a doubt, this film will not only be a success, but earn its own place in movie history.

For specific showing times, please refer to theatre notices.