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Massawyrm Falls In Love With The DREAMGIRLS!!
Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Every year, it seems, there is one movie that gets an insane amount of Oscar buzz, even before anyone’s really seen it. The people behind the film begin to campaign and whisper the word ‘Oscar’ into the ears of certain people, who whisper it in the ear of the entertainment press who then write the words “I smell Oscar” or “I’m hearing Oscar Buzz on this one.” And once people begin to see it, quite a few people, deep down in their hearts, know it’s not Oscar worthy. And they think they’re flawed for thinking that, that they just don’t get the film, and so they keep their mouth shut. And it’s not until the movie wins a couple of Oscars that people start to say “What?" And it goes down in history that a good film got robbed.
Then, usually about once a year, there is a film that the whisper campaign starts for – except that it looks like the above sort of film. People second guess it before seeing it, thinking there is no way that it can really be that good, when in fact, it is truly magnificent. And people end up putting it off, hearing how great it is but never being convinced enough to take the plunge into seeing it – until it’s too late.
Dreamgirls is the latter. Dreamgirls is the real deal.
Now I’ve been hearing little buzzings here and there for months about how good this was supposed to be and that, oddly enough, people were talking Oscar…for…Eddie Murphy. No. Seriously. Don’t laugh. I did actually just say the words Oscar and Eddie Murphy in the same sentence. And you know what. I agree. 100%. This movie is simply unbelievable.
Now I’m not a musical guy. This is one of those areas where Harry and I take a huge departure from one another. The big guy loves musicals like nobodies business. I don’t. Until Harry started passing me Musicals-for-guys-who-hate-Musicals a couple years back, I only liked one. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton. Genius. Pure genius. But now, well, now, I actually need a second hand to tally the number of musicals I like.
Of course, a musical needs to be pretty fucking spectacular to win me over. And Dreamgirls is just that kind of Spectacular. This is just one of those films that fires on absolutely all cylinders and took everything I dislike or even loath about musicals and turned it on its ear. This isn’t one of those films in which the cast just breaks out into song and begins a dance number over the tables of a restaurant. Not at all. Instead, it is a series of musical performances (on stage, in the recording studio, ect) that just happens to also be detailing what’s going on in the life of the characters – or only occasionally serves as a conversation. And those numbers take you on a musical journey through Motown, beautifully illustrating the struggle of black musicians to gain recognition in the mainstream.
And I just love the shit out of it. Having seen it twice already, I’m finding it hard to get through the day without hearing one of the songs in my head – and not getting the least bit annoyed by it. The music is catchy and seven different kinds of wonderful – especially if you love the Motown sound. Each of these songs evokes the mood of earlier songs, but without ever feeling like they simply adapted and modified them. You never mumble “Oh, this is Stop in the Name of Love” or anything of the like. Rather, it feels like music from the era that you were just never properly turned on to in that how the hell have I never heard THIS record sort of way.
And unlike most Musicals out there, this one has…GASP…a real, honest to god interesting story. Dreamgirls is entirely about the formation of Motown, the development of the sound over the years and most importantly, the basic history of the Supremes. And that alone is one hell of a fascinating story, even before you add in clever musical numbers and set design.
But there’s one thing I’d like to address about this film. Usually I don’t refer to other reviews in my own – as each man has his own opinion and frankly, none of us are actually right. But there’s a few monkeys out there that are sniping the shit out of Beyonce Knowles claiming that Jennifer Hudson blows her off the stage and makes her look pathetic. Trash talk. Does Jennifer Hudson blow Beyonce off the stage? Well, yes. Of course, Jennifer Hudson blows EVERYONE off the stage. She’s incredible – but incredible in the way that Tom Brady was when he came in to sub for an injured Drew Bledsoe. No one expected anything from a second stringer they’re not really familiar with, and when they show the chops to throw down with the Big boys, it’s gonna knock you on your ass. Don’t get me wrong. Hudson is magnificent – the real surprise of the film. But that’s not to say everyone else doesn’t perform amazingly. EVERYONE ELSE. Yes, even Beyonce.
Now I have no love for Beyonce in particular. I’m not a fan and certainly don’t have any affection whatsoever for the class of entertainer known as ‘Divas.’ But to say that Beyonce is anything short of fantastic in this means you weren’t paying any fucking attention. She’s at the top of her game. Before your eyes she ages 20 years, unrecognizable from her musical persona the entire time. She goes from giddy schoolgirl to elegant queen of the industry in two hours and the transition is remarkably natural. I had no real interest in seeing her on film before, but frankly, I’m looking forward to seeing her again after this.
Bill Condon has really outdone himself, once again proving that he’s got an eye for raw or completely forgotten talent. Casting Beyonce and Jaime Fox in this was practically a no brainer. But he took a big risk with Hudson. Not only did he take Jennifer Hudson and give her a role that’s going to make her a star, but he also took Keith Robinson (coughcoughFat Albertcough) and really made him shine in a way that’s going to land him some very prominent roles in the next year or so.
And then he took two classics – two guys who were once on top of the world, but whose stars faded after years of drivel – two guys many around here have taken plenty of pot shots at. And he gave them back to us. Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover. Man, I can’t even talk about them. You just won’t get it until you see it for yourself. It’ll sound weird even saying it. But when you see it for yourself, you WILL get it. And if you’re any kind of a film lover, you’ll smile. Because seeing these guys at the top of their game again is a thing of beauty. This is nothing short of a Tarantino level career resurrection.
This is easily one of the best films of the year, as well as one of my deep friend favorites. Having seen it twice, I’m jonesing to see it again once it’s released. So needless to say, this comes Highly Recommended. Unless of course, for some reason, you simply DO NOT dig on Motown. If the music gets on your nerves or was just something you never jacked into, this movie will probably drive you up the fucking wall. I’ve talked to a few folks who just didn’t fall in love with it and they all said the same thing “Well, I just don’t like Motown.” So consider that the litmus test.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
Holla at’cha man!
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Thanks for the review, Mass - let the debating begin!
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Or Massawyrm would've decried this film
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a friend of a friend, who is a theatre director here in nyc, ran into a prominent Broadway director of musicals at a restaurant recently. "I hear your new show, [ ] [ ], is fantastic" this friend of a friend says. "people are talking Tony's" etc. "yes yes," says he, "my show is fantastic blah blah. But do you know what's REALLY fantastic?" he asks, eyes wide. "Dreamgirls!"
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Are fucking pieces of shit. Sorry, but how can you *not* like vintage Motown? I shouldn't be too harsh - I hate Floyd, Rush and all that pussy-fingered prog-rock crap. So, who am I to cast aspersions? I'm probably missing some fucking magicland fairyboat.
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No wonder you didn't like Happy Feet.
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Never saw the musical. Didn't even know what it was about. Got dragged to an advance screening. Loved it. Great music, lots of eye-candy production design, inspired acting, and unbelievable non-stop energy. Murphy is great (despite the Velvet Jones hair), and Hudson blows everyone off the screen. See it.
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Just like I haven't see Moulin Rouge or Chicago. You just won't sell me on this movie.
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To be honest.
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jrbarker
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what are you talking about massa? danny glover has been in "dreck" like the royal tanenbaums, saw, beloved, manderlay (hell he's gonna be in be kind rewind accoring to imdb) to make up for every gone fishing he's done.
your're right about eddie murphy, though. -
What a shame that RENT was ripped to pieces and absolutely fucked beyond recognition from it's original stage version - Dreamgirls seems to have made a successful transition from stage to screen so there's no doubt it'll be great - It sucks that RENT was destroyed and that others couldn't get to know it as the amazing musical it actually is... Dreamgirls, hopefully, will prove that musicals aren't necessarily that stereotyped fairy-floss many people believe it to be...
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I am really looking forward to seeing this movie. That said, I'm confused on who to believe about the movie's use of real Motown music and history. The only thing A.O. Scott didn't like about the movie was how it handled the Motown roots, saying some of the musical numbers in the film were too overproduced. I guess I just need to wait to decide for myself.
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just saying http://popzart.com/viewtopic.php?topic=261
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And it remains insanely overrated to this day. Chicago was a good film don't get me wrong, but insane critical lauding and a Best Picture Oscar it didn't even come close to earning draws my ire. If a film wins Best Picture and the same praise from all those critics it should have weight to it, not a frolicky little romp through musical land. I say this because Dreamgirls and the hype surrounding it reminds me ALOT of CHicago. I'm sure it's a solid film, I'm sure the performances are pretty good, I'm also sure it wont change my life or perspective on the world or even have me thinking in the least after I leave the theatre. If you are a critic and you are going to deliberately push hype that we all know can affect Academy Outcome it better be the best god damn picture you saw this year. SOmething tells me it lacks the cold hard truth of Half Nelson, the live and die by the sword machismo of The Departed, the epic social commentary of Children of Men, and even the pure cinematic glee of Casino Royale. Also regarding the performances, in a musical a powerful voice and good songwriting can allow an actor to get away with alot. If you are going to give an actor an oscar for a musical they better be god damn stupendous. Also Massawyrm your Holiday review made it tough to trust you.
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Good review
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...is the problem here. Every song sounds like something you'd have heard at 1:57 am when the lights come up at a small-town gay bar in 1979. And not in a good way.
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Cuz that actual Surpreme movie was and is abyssmal.
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Never been a fan of Motown..sure there are a few songs I like but to me, it's like the very first "pop" music...not much depth, catchy if simplistic beats, 3 or 4 songwriters writing music for many many performers. Doesn't do much for me. And I pretty much hate all musicals but I'd love to see Danny Glover get some props for his obvious ability and even Eddie Murphy (annoying talking animals aspects aside) who was pure genius in his stand up and SNL days. I may not like it but I hope the film does as well as the hype.
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I really hated Dreamgirls--and I don't hate Motown. Everyone in my group hated it and there were a few musical fans and Motown fans in it. It seems like if you enjoy the conventional musical, like Oklahoma, you'll hate Dreamgirls. I found it to be shrill and overblown. I hated that you couldn't tell if the character was singing about a situation in their life--or cutting their latest record. Slam a musical "Phantom of the Opera" all you want, but at least when he's singing "Music of the Night" you know what it is in reference to.
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I do think the buzz is deserved, though. But if musicals aren't your thing, that's fine. Everyone has different tastes.
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