Random observations about 'Dreamgirls'
...
I
bought tickets to 'Dreamgirls' three days in advance and put them in my
husband's Christmas stocking. On Christmas Day, there we were at the historic
Gateway Theater with every other gay man in Fort
Lauderdale.
'Dreamgirls'
lives up to the hype. The movie feels like a party to which you always wanted to
be invited. The sets, costumes, acting and, above all, the music wrap you up
like an old-fashioned fur coat (before people came to their senses about fur
coats). You don't want to take it off.
'Dreamgirls' is the
kind of movie that induces an audience to applaud spontaneously and
often. We clapped at the beginning; we made noise in
the middle; and we gave the movie an ovation as the credits rolled. It
was like Broadway without the curtain calls.
It's
been said that Beyonce thinks her turn as a lead in the film has been
overshadowed by all the Jennifer Hudson fanfare. Beyonce actually does an
excellent job in the film. She looks and sounds
amazing.
Turns
out Jennifer Hudson does overshadow Beyonce -- and everyone else in the
film. This is Jennifer's movie. Even among a star-studded cast, she
carries the film and you just keep wanting more
Jennifer.
I
kept thinking how not fat Jennifer Hudson is. I mean, as a size 22-24 (aka 3X)
in the early-'80s Broadway role of Effie, Jennifer Holliday was definitely a
plus-size gal. Jennifer Hudson is what -- a 14? It struck me that no movie in
2006 would cast a 3x for this role. I guess 14 is the new
3x.
See 'Dreamgirls.' It isn't quite up to the level of
greatness of 'Chicago' -- mostly because 'Dreamgirls' takes quite a bit of
license in assuming you know what is going on in the storyline and why people
are doing what they're doing. It still manages to stay fabulous enough that you
easily forgive those transgressions, however.
I have several videos to share
for your 'Dreamgirls' edification and enjoyment, including a couple of my
favorite lip-synching YouTube fellas already tackling the new
classics of the soundtrack.
Enjoy and let me know what you think
of the movie.
'One Night
Only' by Jennifer Hudson
'And
I Am Tellin' You' by lip-syncher LittleBigChris. His ending
kills. KILLS.
'And
I Am Tellin' You' by Jennifer Holliday at the 1982 Tony Awards. The original,
baby.
'One
Night Only' by lip-syncher WonderRobbie, voiced by Jennifer
Hudson
'Listen' by YouTube
lip-syncher love4buddha, voiced by
Beyonce.
Click here to watch and hear 'Listen'
by Beyonce, herself. This song was not part of the original score, but was added to the
movie as a vehicle for Beyonce.
Still want more? See trailers, cast interviews and more
'Dreamgirls' videos here.
5 comments:
I was fortunate enough to see the film in one of its first pre-opening screenings in NY, at which Bill Condon, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Danny Glover, and Lawrence Mark showed up for questions after.
I immediately noticed that Ms. Hudson had lost all the weight she gained for the film, and was really impressed with her earthiness (if there can be such a word) mixed with her excitement over an acomplishment that deserves great praise.
About the film: It must be said that Bill Condon deserves great credit for writing characters of color on film that have dignity and individuality, devoid of the stereotypical imagery that black characters in entertainment were resigned to exist during and after the civil rights movement. Including documentary footage of the Detroit riots in Dreamgirls, and finding laughs and tenderness in qualities that belong to Effie, Curtis and Dina have to be stressed. Even though these characters are based on the ones from the B'way show, let's face it: Bill Condon is a white man. He has done his homework.
Though I was conscious of the film's efforts to be 'cinematic,' with editing, lighting, and costumes, it still swept me up into its world. The story keeps going during the songs, and thank f-ing god that the movie musical can still survive!
Even though first-run films are 11.00 in New York, (and I think to see Dreamgirls at the Zigfeld it is 25.00, I will be going a few more times.
"Dreamgirls" has clearly become the Everest of lip-synch.
Jennifer Holliday was so very, very great. I'll be a good little gay and go see dreamgirls, on your recommendation. Actually, everyone seems to be saying it's terrific.
the movie was "good" in my opinion, but, that is from someone who saw the broaddway play three times and made comparisons, something i know i wasn't supposed to do. beyonce should do what she does best, leave the acting and singing to those who do it best, catty, yes, but honest since she can't sing IMO and many others and her acting as bad as madonna's. jennifer hudosn is great in her role, and its good to see that a actress that weighs over 100 pounds can get such a "beefy" role so to speak. but, sorry folks, that one song is OWNED by the orginal big girl, miss jennifer holiday, always and forever!
Thanks for the info, but I swear your name is a killer! One day you won't have to be so blunt. these day's it really doesn't matter. It matter's if your a good editor, that's more like it. Happy New Year!
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