Dreamgirls (2006)

Based on the Broadway musical, a trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s.

Director:

Bill Condon

Writers:

Bill Condon (screenplay), Tom Eyen (book)

Stars:

Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy

Won 2 Oscars. Another 49 wins & 50 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Foxx	...	Curtis Taylor Jr.
Beyoncé Knowles	...	Deena Jones
Eddie Murphy	...	James 'Thunder' Early
Danny Glover	...	Marty Madison
Jennifer Hudson	...	Effie White
Anika Noni Rose	...	Lorrell Robinson
Keith Robinson	...	C.C. White
Sharon Leal	...	Michelle Morris
Hinton Battle	...	Wayne
Mariah I. Wilson	...	Magic (as Mariah Wilson)
Yvette Cason	...	May
Ken Page	...	Max Washington
Ralph Louis Harris	...	M.C. (as Ralph Harris)
Michael-Leon Wooley	...	Tiny Joe Dixon
Loretta Devine	...	Jazz Singer

Storyline

Detroit, the early 1960s. Curtis Taylor, Jr., a car salesman, breaks into the music business with big dreams. He signs a trio of young women, the Dreamettes, gets them a job backing an R&B performer, James "Thunder" Early, establishes his own record label and starts wheeling and dealing. When Early flames out, Curtis makes the Dreamettes into headliners as the Dreams, but not before demoting their hefty big-voiced lead singer, Effie White, and putting the softer-voiced looker, Deena Jones, in front. Soon after, he fires Effie, sends her into a life of proud poverty, and takes Deena and the Dreams to the top. How long can Curtis stay there, and will Effie ever get her due?

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Plot Keywords:

singer | 1960s | trio | pop chart | backup singer | 

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Taglines:

All you have to do is dream.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug content

Details

Official Sites:

Dreamworks [us] Official site [es]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Soñadoras

Filming Locations:

Alexandria Hotel - 501 S. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,329,817 (UK) (2 February 2007)

Gross:

$103,338,338 (USA) (13 April 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures, Laurence Mark Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cleavant Derricks won the 1982 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Musical for "Dreamgirls" for his role as soul singer James Thunder Early.

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Goofs

In a scene set in 1965, the Dreams and Curtis are in the studio during the 12th Street riots in Detroit (according to the archival footage), which began on July 23, 1967.

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Quotes

Lorrell Robinson: You got the same wig I got?
Effie Melody White: Yeah.
Lorrell Robinson: You got same the same dress I got?
Effie Melody White: Yeah.
Lorrell Robinson: [Drags it out] Then shut up!

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Crazy Credits

The motion picture is dedicated to Michael Bennett, the director, producer, and choreographer of the original Broadway production with the words "In memory of Michael Bennett."

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Connections

Featured in Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Episode dated 12 February 2007 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
Written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen
Performed by Jennifer Hudson
Produced by The Underdogs (Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas)
Published by Dreamgirls Music (ASCAP) admin. by Universal-Geffen Music and Dreamettes Music (BMI) admin. by Universal-Geffen Music

User Reviews

Belting Up The Old Story

The legendary Broadway musical hit the screen, resurrecting the thrill of the original. That, in itself, is a miracle. I suspect that the miracle worker is Bill Condon. The story is told as if it revealed something we've never seen before and his winning innocence triumphs. The casting of Eddie Murphy was a stroke of genius. He unfolds a new inedited face and I predict a new career. The predictability of the tale becomes rewarding rather than annoying and I was surprised and moved all the way through. Jammie Foxx's unsympathetic turn manages to deliver a punch of humanity. Byonce Knowles, Danny Glover and the rest of the cast are a perfect foil for Jennifer Hudson's Cinderella Story. Bravo Mr Condon!