Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singer... more »s Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.« less
Marla R. (Marla-R) from SEDALIA, MO Reviewed on 2/16/2012...
Backstage at an amateur talent show at the Detroit Theater in 1962, Cadillac salesman Curtis Taylor, Jr. Meets a girl group known as "The Dreamettes": lead singer Effie White, and back-up singers Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson. Curtis presents himself as the Dreamettes' new manager and arranges for the Dreamettes to become backup singers for local R&B star Jimmy "Thunder" Early.
With ambitions of making black singers mainstream successes among white audiences, Curtis starts his own record label, Rainbow Records, out of his Detroit car dealership, and appoints Effie's brother, C.C., as his head songwriter. However, when their first single fails after a white pop group releases a cover version, Curtis, C.C., and their producer Wayne turn to payola to make Jimmy and the Dreamettes pop stars. Offstage, Effie becomes infatuated with the slick-talking Curtis, while the married Jimmy begins an affair with Lorrell.
With the aid of new songs and a new more glamorous image, Curtis and C.C. transform The Dreams into a top selling mainstream pop act by 1965. However, Effie begins acting out, particularly when Curtis' affections turn towards Deena. Curtis eventually drops Effie from the group, hiring his secretary, Michelle, to take her place.
Seven years later, in 1973, Effie has become an impoverished welfare mother, living in inner-city Detroit with her daughter Magic. Meanwhile, Rainbow Records has moved to Los Angeles, where "Deena Jones & the Dreams" have become superstars. Jimmy Early, on the other hand, has descended into drug addiction, his career neglected due to Curtis' preoccupation with Deena, now also his wife. When Jimmy has a breakdown onstage at Rainbow's tenth anniversary TV special the following year, Curtis drops him from the label, and Lorrell ends their long affair. Some time later, Jimmy is found dead in a hotel room from a heroin overdose.
As life goes on C.C. moves on, and wins the show. The strong cast really makes this movies great! And when the unknown girl wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress it just makes this movie even better!!!!
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sandra M. from UNIONTOWN, OH Reviewed on 11/19/2010...
Jennifer Hudson steals the show in this movie, you can see why she won the Oscar for her performance.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Edward W. from BIRMINGHAM, AL Reviewed on 9/3/2010...
Well worth the watch.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sharon C. (Sierrastar) from BLYTHEWOOD, SC Reviewed on 8/1/2010...
I was not sure if I was going to like this movie or not but purchased it because of Jennifer Hudson appearing in it. I was really surprised because the girl could act and of course she has a powerful voice. I was glad that I deceided to watch it
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Rozlyn W. (Moviediva) from SPRINGFIELD, IL Reviewed on 10/14/2009...
This is an excellent movie. The cast is perfect and so very talented. I loved the music all the way through the movie. I found myself relating to the characters like I knew them personally. It is a very enjoyable story. There is no violence, blood, shooting, car chases or anything. What a relief!