Dream Girls (2006)

Directed by: Bill Condon | 131 minutes | drama, music, musical | Actors: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, Jordan Belfi, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Yvette Nicole Brown, Laura Bell Bundy, EJ Callahan, Luna Rocio Cantale, Yvette Cason, John Cenatiempo, Robert Cicchini, Michael Cline, Colvin Collins, Thomas Crawford, Rubert Curtis-Brown, Loretta Devine, Matthew Dickens, Johnny Erasme, Alexander Folk, Alejandro Furth, Bashier Gavriel, Jason Graham, Vince Grant, Ralph Louis Harris, John Lithgow

‘Fame Comes And Goes, Stars Rise And Fall, But Dreams Live Forever’ ‘Dreamgirls’ is the film adaptation of the musical of the same name that appeared on Broadway in the early 1980s and is directed and written by Bill Condon, who also wrote the script for the musical ‘Chicago’ (2002). The latter film won no fewer than six Oscars and received many other nominations. During the Golden Globes ceremony in 2007, ‘Dreamgirls’ received three Awards, including Best Picture. Success is therefore assured for Hollywood’s latest musical. The story of ‘Dreamgirls’ is quite simple and one that we have heard many times before. Bandje wants to be successful, girls finally get their big break and become mega popular. Then they end up in the world of showbiz, where everyone is suddenly not as nice as in the beginning, with their nose in coke and mainly thinking about themselves. It’s a world where, if you don’t have the right body and head, you’ll just be thrown aside. That also happens to Effie White, the lead singer of The Dreamettes. When manager Curtis makes Deena (Beyoncé) the new lead singer of The Dreams, the trouble begins; Effie can’t stand in the shadow of others and she leaves the band.

‘Dreamgirls’ consists of a cast that is ideal for a musical. That Jamie Foxx is not only a great singer, but also a very good actor, he proved in ‘Ray’ (2004), for which he won an Oscar. We now also know that Beyoncé can sing well, and her acting skills are not bad either. But Jennifer Hudson in the role of Effie White really steals the show here. What a voice, what a performance! The American Hudson (1981) participated in the third season of the American Idol program, where she became sixth. She is definitely the star of ‘Dreamgirls’ and the discovery of 2007. She won a Golden Globe Award on January 15, 2007 for her role as Effie White. Besides Hudson, Eddie Murphy also delivers an amazing performance. With a good voice (who would have thought), and his big wide smile and fun eyes, he is very credible as an arrogant, drug- and women-addicted pop star.

Of course the music of ‘Dreamgirls’ is fantastic. In addition to the original songs, a number of new songs have been written especially for the film, including the beautiful ‘Listen’ by Beyoncé, and as a viewer you will find yourself swinging along in your chair with every song. ‘Dreamgirls’ has really become a super film. Of course musicals do not appeal to everyone, but precisely because popular singers such as Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé have been chosen, the film will still be suitable for a wide audience. The film is all glitz and glamour, full of beautiful women, men, great sets, swinging numbers and the talented newcomer Jennifer Hudson. In short, you don’t know what you’re missing if you don’t see this film.