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Dreamgirls

  • 2006
  • PG-13
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
79K
YOUR RATING
Beyoncé, Anika Noni Rose, and Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls (2006)
Theatrical Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer2:31
17 Videos
99+ Photos
Period DramaDramaMusical

A trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.A trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.A trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.

  • Director
    • Bill Condon
  • Writers
    • Tom Eyen
    • Bill Condon
  • Stars
    • Beyoncé
    • Jamie Foxx
    • Eddie Murphy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    79K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bill Condon
    • Writers
      • Tom Eyen
      • Bill Condon
    • Stars
      • Beyoncé
      • Jamie Foxx
      • Eddie Murphy
    • 564User reviews
    • 237Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 67 wins & 93 nominations total

    Videos17

    Dreamgirls
    Trailer 2:31
    Dreamgirls
    Dreamgirls
    Trailer 2:31
    Dreamgirls
    Dreamgirls
    Trailer 2:31
    Dreamgirls
    Dreamgirls
    Trailer 1:18
    Dreamgirls
    Dreamgirls
    Trailer 2:31
    Dreamgirls
    Bill Condon on Directing J.Lo, Making Twilight Sing, and the Best Movie Musicals
    Clip 5:34
    Bill Condon on Directing J.Lo, Making Twilight Sing, and the Best Movie Musicals
    Black Fashion in Film & TV History
    Clip 1:55
    Black Fashion in Film & TV History

    Photos252

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    + 246
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Beyoncé
    Beyoncé
    • Deena Jones
    • (as Beyoncé Knowles)
    Jamie Foxx
    Jamie Foxx
    • Curtis Taylor Jr.
    Eddie Murphy
    Eddie Murphy
    • James 'Thunder' Early
    Danny Glover
    Danny Glover
    • Marty Madison
    Jennifer Hudson
    Jennifer Hudson
    • Effie White
    Anika Noni Rose
    Anika Noni Rose
    • Lorrell Robinson
    Keith D. Robinson
    Keith D. Robinson
    • C.C. White
    • (as Keith Robinson)
    Sharon Leal
    Sharon Leal
    • Michelle Morris
    Hinton Battle
    Hinton Battle
    • Wayne
    Mariah Iman Wilson
    Mariah Iman Wilson
    • Magic
    • (as Mariah Wilson)
    Yvette Cason
    Yvette Cason
    • May
    Ken Page
    Ken Page
    • Max Washington
    Ralph Louis Harris
    Ralph Louis Harris
    • M.C.
    • (as Ralph Harris)
    Michael-Leon Wooley
    Michael-Leon Wooley
    • Tiny Joe Dixon
    Loretta Devine
    Loretta Devine
    • Jazz Singer
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Jerry Harris
    John Krasinski
    John Krasinski
    • Sam Walsh
    Alexander Folk
    Alexander Folk
    • Ronald White
    • Director
      • Bill Condon
    • Writers
      • Tom Eyen
      • Bill Condon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews564

    6.678.9K
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    Featured reviews

    6igornveiga

    OK!

    A film, very well set, a beautiful biography of American singers, the film is a wonderful musical, recommended for people who enjoy music.
    9littlemartinarocena

    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!
    9Screen-Space

    A great American musical....

    Screened overnite in Australia for critics and industry.

    Ten minutes into director Bill Condon's adaptation of the hit musical, I whispered to my friend "There's no way the film can go at this pace for two hours!" Because up to that point, we had been utterly dazzled by breathtaking staging, impassioned performances and a display of film-making craftsmanship in all its forms (direction, editing, design) that had the packed audience stunned.

    Well, two hours later, I'd been proved wrong. Condon has created a vivid, emotional spectacle that will dominate the 06/07 Oscar nominations. Dreamgirls is one of the five best movie musicals ever made.

    There is really nothing new about the storyline - smalltown singers make it big and ride the roller-coaster of fame. But thats what works so well for the film - the great cinematic clichés are embraced and played to the hilt by a creative team, both behind and in front of the camera, that knows what makes a great Hollywood musical.

    There's not one weak link in the cast. Condon's camera is in love with Beyonce Knowles and she handles the journey from the innocence of the groups early years to the staggering success and fortune of the group at its peak with surprising range. While most singer/actress attempts are failures (Madonna, Whitney, Britney, k.d. lang), Beyonce proves to have genuine talent.

    Jamie Foxx centres and grounds the film in a less-flashy role but one that is crucial to the films credibility.

    But there are two standouts. Eddie Murphy as fading star Early has never done better work. And Jennifer Hudson delivers an absolute tour-de-force performance in a role that sees her dominate every scene she is in. Her belting solo number was applauded by the audience (a rare enough occurrence during an industry screening but a moment that was repeated a few times thru the film). Hudson is a lock for the supporting actress Oscar, even this far from the ceremony.

    Dreamgirls is a better movie in every way than recent award winning musicals Chicago and Moulin Rouge (both of which I am a huge fan). It is a film that tells a classic rags-to-riches story utilising great cinematic technique and bravado. 2006 has offered up some great movie-going experiences for me (Thank You For Smoking, Children Of Men, V For Vendetta, Little Miss Sunshine); for the sheer cinematic thrill it provides, however, Dreamgirls proves to be the best two hours I've spent in a cinema this year.
    9nibbly

    A Triumph!!

    What a spectacular movie musical experience! This is one worth waiting in line, if not purchasing advance tickets for. Beautifully realized by writer-director Bill Condon, 'Dreamgirls' brings back thoughts of a few years ago when the movie musical version of 'Chicago' knocked our socks off, and (with the help of the gorgeous 'Moulin Rouge') helped to revive the modern movie musical. The sets, costumes, musical numbers all flow beautifully and make for an incredibly affecting motion picture.

    As amazing and eye-popping as all of the scene work and musical numbers are, this is, ultimately, a movie rooted in its performances. Jamie Foxx gives further credence to his stature as an incredibly talented musician, and Beyonce Knowles (known for her vocal talents) still manages to impress with her songs and her voice. Not to mention her stunning beauty, as each costume and scene in which she appears seem to top one another in terms of showcasing her incredible beauty. Eddie Murphy blew me away with not only his truly heartfelt performance as Jimmy Early, but his amazing voice and showmanship. What a talent! Anika Noni Rose, who I fell in love with on Broadway in 'Caroline, or Change,' gives her performance as Laurelle soul and a deep, rich vocal styling. But let's face it..we are all going into 'Dreamgirls' wondering if 'American Idol' contestant Jennifer Hudson can pull it off. She has quite a bit to live up to, as Jennifer Holliday's performance as Effie White in the original Broadway production is legendary. Add to that the fact that this is Ms. Hudson movie debut, she must have been feeling a huge weight on her shoulders to do the part, as well as the show, justice. If she isn't able to do anything less than nail the part of Effie, as well as her signature song, 'And I am Telling You,' the whole production, no matter how great the other aspects hold up, runs the risk of crashing loudly. The question on everyone's mind is: Can she do it?

    Let me just say this... I have never sat in a theater watching a musical where the audience erupted in applause like they would in a Broadway theater after a performer's song. Everyone (and I mean everyone!) was wildly applauding when she struck her last note in 'And I am Telling You.' It was such an intense experience to be a part of. I mean...as I am writing this, I am getting goose bumps. But not only is her singing tremendously effective, but her actual performance is just as good. She brings a vulnerability and an innocence that perhaps would not have come through had the part been given to a more experienced movie performer. Ms. Hudson is nothing short of breathtaking and, even if you are not crazy about the rest of the picture (doubtful), you will almost certainly be amazed by her talent. Just remarkable. This has to be one of the most impressive motion picture debuts in the history of cinema. Even during the closing "curtain call," when Jennifer Hudson's name was shown, there was, again, wild applause. A star has been born!!!
    6Smells_Like_Cheese

    Pfft! I can see why it wasn't nominated for best picture

    I was excited about seeing Dreamgirls, especially after seeing the Oscar nods it got. But I still wasn't too sure about Jennifer Hudson's win, after all, before I saw this film, I saw Babel, and the Hispanic actress who was nominated I felt totally deserved the award. But how can you judge before seeing what Jennifer Hudson's raved about performance was all about. Now I have to start off with that actually this was a good film, but you know what? It was average, nothing thrilling or original came out of it. It's your typical rise and fall story that had nothing special or had no spark. Jennifer's performance was good for a first time, but I still wasn't too thrown over it. The story is just so abused and too used by so many writers.

    Curtis is looking for a backup group for his famous singer, James Early. He finds the Dreamettes, three beautiful and strong black women, he also becomes involved with one of them. Slowly they rise to the top, but Effie, the girl is involved with is not exactly "thin" or that "appealing" to a younger crowd, so with her girlfriends in the group, her brother, and her new boyfriend, Curtis, they vote her out of the group and the Dreamettes become huge, but the joke is on Curtis when Effie gets a second chance.

    The performances were the key that got raved about most in the film, now I have to say that they were good, but honestly, it was nothing beyond good. I don't have anything against Jennifer Hudson, but I am very upset with all the publicity she is getting now for one film and an Oscar that I believe doesn't belong to her, but I know there are some that wouldn't agree with me. Eddie didn't thrill me either, I've actually seen him in better, but I have to admit the only performance I was actually, and surprisingly, impressed with was Beyonce Knowles, she has come a long way. So, I'm not sure if I would recommend this film, if you wanna watch it, go ahead, but don't expect too much.

    6/10

    Eddie Murphy Through the Years

    Eddie Murphy Through the Years

    From Reggie Hammond in 48 Hrs. to Chris Carver in Candy Cane Lane, take a look back at the iconic career of Eddie Murphy.
    See the gallery
    Production art
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film, and the original Broadway musical, are based heavily on The Supremes (later known as "Diana Ross & The Supremes"). Curtis Taylor, Jr. represents Motown Founder Berry Gordy. Both men worked in the automotive industry before focusing on music, and integrated aspects of the automotive business into the music making process. Both were romantically involved with the lead singer of their label's most successful female group. Effie's departure from the group closely matches Florence Ballard, whose voice was much more powerful than Ross's.
    • Goofs
      When Deena and the girls perform the disco version of 'One Night Only', the stage backdrop is made up of computerized moving head lights, which didn't exist at the time.
    • Quotes

      Curtis Taylor Jr.: Who was the first artist to sing "Hound Dog"?

      C.C. White: Elvis Presley.

      Curtis Taylor Jr.: Big Mama Thorton. She had the number-one single on the R&B charts, but the white stations wouldn't play it, because to them it was just another race record.

    • Crazy credits
      The film begins immediately after the distribution studio logos, with no opening titles/credits of any kind.
    • Alternate versions
      In 2017, Paramount released a "Director's Extended Edition" of "Dreamgirls." This version runs ten minutes longer than the theatrical version and contains changes which include the following:
      • The opening talent show scene has extended performances of "I'm Looking' for Something'" and "Goin' Downtown," including a longer scene on the stairs outside the Detroit Theater, where Curtis offers Marty a cigarette and a sales pitch after Charlene and Joanne walk out on him, and Curtis catches a first glimpse of Deena
      • Sung dialogue leading up to "Steppin' to the Bad Side" ("You've got me to think for you now...") proceeds the scene in which Curtis tells Wayne and CC of his plan to sell off the car dealership, similar to the lead-up to the song in the original Broadway show. This scene takes the place of the shorter, spoken word alternate version used in the theatrical version
      • All shots of Wayne enacting Curtis' payload plans at radio stations are replaced with scenes of the Mafia members Curtis makes a deal with distributing the records and the money
      • The Jimmy & the Dreamettes performance section go "Steppin to the Bad Side" is extended
      • "Love You I Do" is extended by adding an instrumental break under the scene in which Michelle gets a job at Rainbow Records, and then showing Effie sing the song's second verse on camera
      • "Heavy" is extended by adding a break and a chorus, and placing more emphasis on Effie keeping an eye on Deena's image taking over the TV studio monitors
      • There is an extra shot of Curtis and Deena's mansion as Deena heads to the service car outside
      • An extra scene shows Curtis, C.C., Wayne and other Rainbow executives at a board meeting, at which Curtis decides to finance his "Cleopatra" film pet project with a 10th anniversary special (This scene includes two F-bombs by Jamie Foxx; the Director's Extended Edition is unrated as a result)
      • "Patience" is extended by adding extra choruses to the section in which Jimmy and Lorrell record the song, accompanied by a choir
      • "Perfect World" is extended by including a full verse and chorus
      • "I Meant You No Harm" and "Lorrell Loves Jimmy" are both extended by a few bars
      • Jimmy's silent glare at Deena basking in her fame at the Rainbow 10th anniversary TV special is replaced by sung dialogue ("Because I was here long before you...") similar to the "Firing of Jimmy" scene in the original Broadway show
      • "I Miss You, Old Friend" is extended by a few bars
      • "Effie, Sing My Song" - sung dialogue in which C.C. and Effie reconcile - is added in place of the spoken word alternate version used in the theatrical version
      • "One Night Only" is performed in full (only half is used in the theatrical version). At the conclusion of the song, Curtis' Mafia associates come to Effie's performance in Max Washington's bar, which is how they get word (and a tape) to alert Curtis
      • Curtis has an extra line of dialogue when being interviewed on the Dreams' farewell performance red carpet, in which he announces that his new artist, Tania Williams, will be releasing her debut album in a month
    • Connections
      Edited into Dreamgirls: T4 Movie Special (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Looking for Something
      Written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen

      Performed by Maxi Anderson, Charlene Carmen, and Keisha Heely

      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

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    FAQ25

    • How long is Dreamgirls?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Dreamgirls" a biographical film about The Supremes, like "Ray" and "Walk the Line"?
    • Why does the film use showtunes instead of songs that have the Motown Sound?
    • Why are there so many songs in "Dreamgirls" (and other song tidbits)?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Soñadoras
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles Center Studios - 450 S. Bixel Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Laurence Mark Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $70,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $103,365,956
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $378,950
      • Dec 17, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $155,456,301
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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