by Jay Bamber

Created on: July 11, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Its talent night at some club, the brightest young acts are all competing to win a cash prize, the mood is frantic, and music fills the air. In hurries Deena and Lorrell two members of the Dreamgirls, they are late and missing their lead singer. Eventually Effie arrives and they take to the amateur stage, singing a poppy, motown tune that grabs the attention of the young Curtis Taylor a used car salesman with big aspirations. He makes them agree to sign him as their manager and he quickly gets them a gig as the back-up singers for soul legend James Early... where they get enough attention to branch out on their own and try to make their trio successful in their own right. Things start to turn sour when Curtis suggests that Deena takes over the role as lead singer because of her 'look' despite having less natural talent. As their friendships start to crumble and relationships are knocked down and forged a new, can the Dreamgirls fight for their dreams and stay true to themselves in a sell out world?

Dreamgirls is exactly what you would expect; a bombastic, exciting, glittering showdown of substance and style which boasts wonderful performances, startling visuals and a constantly interesting story which shoots along to a moving and genuinely magical conclusion. Even though the pacing is occasionally off and a few of the songs are nothing but forgettable it manages to amerce its audience into a whole new world where flashy visuals reign supreme, music is a true transportation into someone soul and the ups and downs of life in the music industry make for sweet, sweet melodies. Uniquely for a musical it tackles real issues with vigour and sensitivity, examining how commercialism can squash people's dreams, exploring the crucial transition from childhood to fully fledged adulthood and following an extremely moving story of transformation, deception, family ties and personal growth. A brilliant fusion of body and technique with its hand firmly pushed on the 'entertain' button, this is a movie made to be watched, it's fashions are meant to be gawped out, it songs designed to move and inspire foot stomping throughout the nations homes. It's a veritable foot stomping crowd-pleaser, bursting with old Hollywood glamour, motown/disco/funk show tunes and a handful of star turns from some of the most talented actors working in film today. If you like your flicks smooth, vibrant and intelligent then you will undoubtedly find something to like about Dreamgirls, sit back,

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>