JENNIFER HUDSON STEALS DREAMGIRLS

Tonight I went to see the highly anticipated and much praised film DREAMGIRLS. A long time ago when I heard that Jennifer Hudson would be playing the coveted role of Effie I said "who?" Jennifer Hudson made me eat my words. She gives a ferocious performance with such stamina & dedication and not to mention the girl can SANG! Not sing, I mean SAAAANG! I have never felt such chills from seeing a song performed on screen - her "And I Am Telling You" was out of this world. (I hate to say it - it rivals Jennifer Holliday's version) I have also never seen a Redwood City movie audience applaud & shout "woo's" like they did after she ends the song. THAT gave me chills as well. Her performance is indeed Oscar-caliber and I hope she WINS the damn award. She had a lot to prove - and she sure proved it to me. Brava!

Overall I enjoyed the movie but had some tiffs with it - I'm not going to go into detail but I am a huge fan of the live concert recording of the musical (with Norm Lewis as Curtis, Audra McDonald as Deena, Heather Headley as Lorelle, Billy Porter as Jimmy and Lilias White as Effie) so I am just used to hearing their voices. To me that is a dream cast.

Beyonce was... Beyonce and did nothing but play herself - I know that I am going to get a lot of shit for this but I thought she didn't do much to get top billing (Kudos to director Bill Condon for Hudson' s "And Introducing..." credit.) Eddie Murphy is fantastic as Jimmy and does a brilliant job with Jimmy's last song but I just couldn't get Billy Porter's voice out of my ear. Jamie Foxx could have been a little more menacing with his part - I didn't see a lot of depth. Anika Noni Rose was terrific as Lorelle - she hits every note right with her role. I enjoyed seeing Loretta Devine in a bit part (she was an original Broadway cast member).

After the hit that was Chicago, studios are out to make money with movie musicals and even though Condon wrote the adaptation of Chicago - that was as much better film and did deserve the Oscar - while I am sure Dreamgirls will be nominated I don't think it is the best picture of 2006. It's almost as if he tried too hard to bring it to the screen and did we really need a song for Beyonce? (excuse me - Deena Jones)

Go see Dreamgirls - it is worth it especially to see a star being born. The Academy BETTER recognize Condon for finally bringing it to the screen and Murphy & Hudson for their supporting roles.