Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition)

Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen, telling a story of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. Set in the 1960s, singers Effie, Lorrell, and Deena are about to see their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr., the trio, known as "the Dreamettes," are given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open for popular singer James "Thunder" Early. Under Taylor's guidance, they transform into "the Dreams" and quickly find that their friendship takes a backseat to their pursuit of fame. Taylor prioritizes the more beautiful Deena over the talented Effie, causing tension within the group. As their crossover success grows, the girls realize that fame comes with a higher cost than they anticipated.

The film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls is filled with the spirit of Motown. It revolves around a young female singing trio who burst onto the music scene in the '60s, bringing a soul sound that was new to the American charts. Drawing comparisons to the Supremes, the Dreamettes, consisting of Deena, Lorell, and Effie, are discovered by car salesman and aspiring music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. Sensing their greatness, Curtis signs them as backup singers for R&B star James "Thunder" Early. When Early's style doesn't resonate with white audiences, Curtis rebrands them as the Dreams with Deena as the lead singer, replacing Effie. Curtis also leaves Effie for Deena, further complicating their relationships.

Dreamgirls received eight Oscar nominations but was surprisingly snubbed in the Best Picture and Director categories. While it is a well-executed and visually appealing film, it lacks emotional depth and focuses more on recreating the Motown era. The characters, who were underwritten even in the Broadway version, rely on powerhouse performances to make an impact. The cast, including Beyonce Knowles as Deena and Jennifer Hudson as Effie, delivers solid performances, with Eddie Murphy standing out as the charismatic James "Thunder" Early. Hudson's breakout performance and her rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" are the highlights of the film.

The DVD edition of Dreamgirls offers a variety of bonus features, including videos, documentaries, auditions, and extended musical numbers. The "Building the Dream" documentary provides in-depth insights into the making of the film, while the auditions showcase the contrasting styles of Beyonce Knowles and Anika Noni Rose. Jennifer Hudson's audition, unfortunately, is not included. The set also includes Hudson's performance of "Effie, Sing My Song," which was not seen in the theatrical release, as well as a dance rehearsal and enhanced storyboards. Overall, the DVD provides fans with a deeper look into the creation of Dreamgirls.

In conclusion, Dreamgirls is a visually stunning film that pays homage to the Motown era. While it lacks emotional depth and character development, it features standout performances by Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. The DVD edition offers a range of bonus features that give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the film's production. Whether you're a fan of musicals, Motown, or powerhouse performances, Dreamgirls is an enjoyable watch.

product information: