DreamGirls

DreamGirls: Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, DreamGirls comes to the silver screen with some star-power. The film is loaded with good performances, but the two that really standout are Eddie Murphy as James “Thunder” Early and Jennifer Hudson as Effie White (I see Oscar nods for both). Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and even the washed up Danny Glover all turn in terrific performances to round out the cast. The story spans roughly 8 years, as it follows 3 female soul singers from their breakthrough to the point when they are on top of the pop charts. Of course with success you always have some turmoil between the ranks. The turmoil between the girls and their manager (Foxx) is the meat of the story. For all that the film does right, it does wrong as well. Take the musical numbers for instance – there are many good ones, but they crammed too many of them in making me want to hit the fast forward button on the last few. The story which starts so well becomes very cliché, which I felt watered down the drama of the main plot. The film as a whole should have been 20 minutes shorter. I think director Bill Condon got a little too excited with the material and went over the top for the knock out punch when he did not need to. The good does outweigh the bad however, therefore I still recommend DreamGirls, it is just a case where “less could have been more...”
* * * or Grade B-

If this movie had parents they would be: Chicago & The Jacksons: An American Dream

With a run time of 131 minutes
This film is rated PG-13