I saw this film when it came out in 2006 and had the same reaction as seeing it again on DVD: Jennifer Hudson is great. The camera loves her and she has some innate ability to hold still and have you not take your eyes off her. And then she lets loose in "And I am Telling You."
Dreamgirls works best as a film when Hudson is on the screen. Not to dis Beyonce who is also extremely watchable, but the soul of the story is not Deena. I never saw the musical on stage, but I can easily imagine the same scenario with Jennifer Holliday and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
I wonder how the men in the stage version fared. They are not the strongest element of the film. Jamie Foxx wisely doesn't try to sing much, and Keith Robinson is no match for the others in "We Are a Family." Kudos to Eddie Murphy for stepping outside what must be his comfort zone to take the role of Jimmy Early. He brings a lot of energy to the role even if it does feel at times as he has put on his character like a costume.
It's been more than 18 months since this film was released and it should probably surprise no one that an appropriate follow-up for Ms. Hudson is hard to find. Yes, she was in the film Sex and the City. But that's a part for any ol' actress, not a role for such someone with as much inner light at Ms. Hudson. Dare I suggest it? A bio-pic on Aretha Franklin? Or am I being sexist, racist, size-ist and pigeon-holing Ms. Hudson?
Dreamgirls
Film on DVD released in 2006
Directed by Bill Condon
Based on the Broadway show from 1981
Music by Harry Krieger
Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Cast: Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Keith Robinson
Dreamgirls works best as a film when Hudson is on the screen. Not to dis Beyonce who is also extremely watchable, but the soul of the story is not Deena. I never saw the musical on stage, but I can easily imagine the same scenario with Jennifer Holliday and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
I wonder how the men in the stage version fared. They are not the strongest element of the film. Jamie Foxx wisely doesn't try to sing much, and Keith Robinson is no match for the others in "We Are a Family." Kudos to Eddie Murphy for stepping outside what must be his comfort zone to take the role of Jimmy Early. He brings a lot of energy to the role even if it does feel at times as he has put on his character like a costume.
It's been more than 18 months since this film was released and it should probably surprise no one that an appropriate follow-up for Ms. Hudson is hard to find. Yes, she was in the film Sex and the City. But that's a part for any ol' actress, not a role for such someone with as much inner light at Ms. Hudson. Dare I suggest it? A bio-pic on Aretha Franklin? Or am I being sexist, racist, size-ist and pigeon-holing Ms. Hudson?
Dreamgirls
Film on DVD released in 2006
Directed by Bill Condon
Based on the Broadway show from 1981
Music by Harry Krieger
Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Cast: Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Keith Robinson
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