Dreamgirls
- Release Date:
- Dec. 15
- Run Time:
- 2 hr. 5 min.
- Rating:
- PG-13 for for language, some sexuality and drug content
- Cast:
- Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy ...
- Director:
- Bill Condon
- Genre:
- Drama
Quick Peek
Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women--Effie, Deena and Lorrell--who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor Jr., who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early. Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Although the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.
Theaters & Showtimes
No showtimes available for this location. Try searching for other locations.
User Reviews for Dreamgirls
02/10/2007 Posted by westello
My first impression is what a disappointment. Such a lot of talent for not much of a film. It might be the source material; the Broadway musical may have not been a great story to start with. But it is a cookie cutter film where you know virtually everything that will happen. It dragged on and is over two hours (take note). No one has a real personality but Effie. Jamie Foxx was disappointing and should have either been a real cad or a driven businessman but he seems to be walking through this film. Beyonce is a beautiful young woman with a fabulous voice and the best dance moves but she is not a seasoned actress yet and it shows. The one time when she gets the chance to give her all she does ("Listen") but her character doesn't really follow up on her newfound courage. Eddie Murphy was good, not great, and I would be sad if he were awarded an Oscar for a pale James Brown imitation. Jennifer Hudson is the shining star in this film from the very first opening. She acts circled around people who should be better than her. Her singing is dynamite. She should take the Oscar. She is worth seeing the film for but rent it rather than go to the theater. The characters have a dizzying array of hairstyles and costumes which are fun to see evolve as the years go by. You end up wondering if Beyonce felt a little bit of discomfort in playing a character who allows someone who is a friend to get bounced from her group (Destiny's Child, anyone?). It is really hard to swallow that neither of the remaining two Dreams would even try to find Effie after she leaves the group. (And her illness isn't that hard to diagnose either.) Well produced and Jennifer Hudson is worth seeing but will not rank with the great musicals.
Pros: Jennifer Hudson, musical highlights
Cons: pedestrian script, too long, not up to the hype
02/03/2007 Posted by fed_rojas
Perhaps some people are creating expectations about this movie, so when I went there I was expecting more. The story itself is just another "poor gets rich, rich gets nasty" tale, with a "happy ending", which for me is almost corny. It maybe was motivational or inspirational back 20 years ago, for me now it is so out of reality and just keeps our society numb on realizing that the American Dream of today is so much harder to obtain, than our parents' generation. Jamie Foxx singing is almost pathetic, and all the others, they might be good singers, but not good actors/actresses, so I am not in favor of their Oscar nominations. It is Oscar's not Tony's.
Pros: Music, 70s recreation
Cons: Out of reality with the times we live
