"Dreamgirls" is a Winner
Posted: Jan 09, 2007 I just got in from one of the best movie musicals I have ever seen. Dreamgirls is a fictional story loosely based on the careers of The Supremes, James Brown and other R&B artists of the 1960s and ‘70s. They call it fiction but there are numerous stories woven into the movie that are straight out of the rock and roll history books, including the Diana Ross character, played with style and sophistication by pop star Beyonce Knowles and her flirtations with acting and her numerous style changes -- including the complete overhaul that came with the advent of disco. (I promise, that’s the last time that dirty word will ever appear in my blog!)Jamie Foxx is incredible as the manager and his natural musical abilities shine through when called upon to sing lines rather than speak them. The entire cast is as bright as a new day, including Eddie Murphy (another very talented singer himself) as the James Brown/Otis Redding/Marvin Gaye character, Danny Glover as Marty Madison and Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson.
But the standout star of the film has got to be newcomer Jennifer Hudson. You may recall Jennifer being booted out of the American Idol competition in 2004 and all the speculation that, while she was one of the best singers to hit that stage, her weight caused her to be voted out. Well, “take that, Simon!” Jennifer has struck a major blow for plus-sized women everywhere, not only appearing in the film version of the Broadway hit Dreamgirls, but pretty much stealing the show on the strength of her performance of "And I Tell You I’m Not Going,” a song that brought the entire audience in our theatre to their feet applauding like they were witnessing a live performance.
Music is my soul. I love it more than anything. It is my air, my water, my spirit. I love Southern rock, country, r&b, soul, rock and roll – anything that moves me. Dreamgirls moved me. I honestly didn't expect it. The music is purposely written to resemble the great rhythm and blues music of the sixties and seventies; it grabs a hold of your heart -- especially if you are a boomer like myself.
Beyonce is indeed a knockout and a great singer but, mark my words, Jennifer Hudson is on her way. Her “Aretha Franklin-meets-Bonnie Bramlett at a Tina Turner concert” vocals are amazing and she is a natural as an actress. Good stuff.
Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo
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