Tayari's Blog: And I Am Telling You: Go See "Dreamgirls"
Posted by TayariJones on December 27, 2006 10:28 AM
Filed under
Travels & Rambles
On Christmas Day, I went to see "Dreamgirls." I am a big fan of the orginal play-- I even saw it once with Jennifer Holliday and once with an understudy wo truly put her foot in it. Further, as a black woman of a certain age, you know that I saw many a young girl belt out "And I am Telling You" and "I Am Changing" at highschool talent shows. In short, I am the ideal audience for this movie.
I did enjoy it. Let me start by saying that.
"Dreamgirls" is a gorgeous film. Lots of good-looking people, pretty clothes, flashing lights, and front-the-gut singing. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to get their warm-and-fuzzy on this holiday season. And honestly, Jennifer Hudson's "I'm Not Going" is worth the price of admission. I am thinking of going again just to hear her say "You're gonna love (gasp) MEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Although this a film that thinks that it's about music and the rise of Motown, you come away learning very little about the music that changed American culture. ("Dreamgirls" is a thinly veiled imagining of the rise of Diana Ross and The Supremes.) "Dreamgirls" plays on a sort of simple dichotomy. Effie (Jennifer Hudson) is the the real thing: large of body and voice. Deena (Beyonce Knowles) is a poser: chosen for her light-complexion and white-friendly voice. This was a little too pat for me. The choices made in this film are way too easy and the right thing much too obvious.
Afterall, we all know that Motown wasn't just about selling music by black artists to white audiences. The triumph of Motown was that it appealed to black audiences as well as white ones. And even more amazing is that each audience thought this music to be their own. The real question is, at what cost was this "universal" appeal? But this isn't a film that wants to think too much.
Although many critics are griping about the music, those of us who are fans of the play will approve of the score, which sticks close the original. There is one notable addition, a Beyonce number called "Listen." It's sort of ironic that a plot that is built around the idea that only Effie is a real singer sort of ends with Deena showing us that she, too, can blow.
"Listen," gives Deena a chance to redeem herself which is the primarily difference between this screen adaptation and the Broadway play. This is a real coup for Diana Ross, who is generally believed to be the model for Deena. Ross is far too often blamed for the dysfunction and destruction of the orignal Supremes. But in "Dreamgirls," Deena is not a backstabbing villian, but more of a lovely woman who was manipulated by a really bad man. The result is a movie that is really easy to digest and will pack the theatres for the holidays. Bring your hankies. You'll cry, but in a good way.
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There are 5 comments on "And I Am Telling You: Go See "Dreamgirls"". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by carleen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
Saw it yesterday, and loved it! Usually when I hear the hype about how a performance will blow me away I end up disappointed. Not this time. They said Jennifer Hudson would blow you away, and she did! The surprise wasn't just her singing, but what a good actress she is. Girlfriend, betta get an Oscar.
December 27, 2006 10:49 AM
Comment #2, by Ladylee
I saw it on Christmas day also! I thought it was pretty good, and that's good coming from me, someone who absolutely HATES plays and musicals!!
"Thinly-veilded imagining" of Diana Ross and the Supremes? I thought it was REAL thick... and it could almost be a rendition of the rise and fall of Destiny's child...
And maybe I'm just reading too much into it all... LOL!! Definitely a must-see, I do agree with that...
Hopefully, Jennifer Hudson gets her props after her performance in this movie... because she did a great job!! I hope to see her in more places now!
December 27, 2006 02:31 PM
Comment #3, by ressa
Hey Tayari, its me your lovely cousin Caressia. I agree with you the movie was good. My sister and I along with a couple of friends went to see it yesterday. I never seen the real play but, the movie was amazing. Jennifer made the movie to me when she did "Im not going" the whole theatre went wild. She got my vote!!
December 27, 2006 05:56 PM
Comment #4, by cheryl miner
I went with my daughters to see Dreamgirls on Christmas day too. We loved it! I saw Jennifer Holiday sing "I'm Not Going.." last summer in Vegas and she flat out blew everyone out of the room but Jennifer Hudson more than holds her own with this song....I just felt that sister's pain when she sang this song in the movie. I tend to agree with Ladylee, I felt a little Destiny's Child in the mix too. But what I liked mostly was that Deena makes amends to Effie in the end. Atlast....sister's not permanently ripping each other apart over some jerk....is there a trend in here somewhere? I am definitely dragging hubby back on New Years Day to see this movie...make sure to tell people when they ask for Dreamgirls that the movie ticket says Dreamgirls so that the movie gets its proper credit for ticket sales.....I loved Dreamgirls....also....and this is so off the subject but Diana Ross set up trust funds for both of Florence Ballard's kids when Florence died (unlike Mary Wilson) and she actually did send a check to stop the foreclosure on Ballards house but she had the wrong address and the check came back. I'm not a Ross fan but she had some redeeming qualities.
December 27, 2006 07:58 PM
Comment #5, by tina
Having seen the original Dreamgirls on Broadway, I am still trying to get pass all the hype with this adaptation. Loretta Divine was the original Lorella and it was nice that she was in the movie. I always thought that Beyonce was cast to bring in the audience (and promote a new single) and I still do. To me the B'way show was never about the Supreme's and their ultimate break up. But somehow the movie makes you believe that that is the story.. Did any one else notice that the LA offices of Rainbow Records pays homage to Ms. Ross. (the Mahogony shots, the solo album covers???) The B'way play was about: 1.the changing face of black music to conform to white standards. (Remember Pat Boone?) 2.Payola was the only way our music was heard, 3.the eventual rise of disco. 4.two women being used by a manager; (though it wasn't fully conveyed in the movie) Curtis carried on simoutaneous relationships with Effie and Deena, destroying an already fragile friendship promising one stardom (Deena) and the other love (Effie). My final thoughts: living in NYC "I'm Telling You" was played ad naseum during the 80's on every Black radio station. My favorite song has always been I am Changing which I think really showcased Ms. Hudsons' voice.
December 28, 2006 09:42 PM