One Line: Dreamgirls
...as with The Color Purple, none of these weaknesses will stop black moviegoers from loving Dreamgirls to pieces.
I was going to write a proper review of the film but despite my lack of love for Beyonce's performance, I think Steven Boone wrote the right one.
Comments
Is it a coon/minstrel show for modern times? I'm not sure I have the answer to that (though I think Jennifer Hudson's scaled-back performance of "And I Am Telling You" a bit more polished than Jennifer Holliday's original). The issue I'm taking up with the criticism being leveled at the film is that there seems to be a level of cynicism involved, that we are viewing this film with a jaundiced eye and expecting realism from Hollywood. Is the irony of that expectation lost on everyone except me?
That being said, I mainly wanted to see the film to witness Jennifer Hudson's vindication. And while I went in expecting to hate "Sasha's" performance in the film, I have to say that Miss B. has grown as an actress. Instead of cardboard, she's starting to take on the personality of a mannequin - something almost human but not quite. Don't get me started on the ridiculousness of that bone they threw her to keep her assigned to the project. Sure, her voice was the best I've heard it in years, but the only thing I kept thinking was "Damn, enough - where's Jennifer?"
That said, there are some cultural things to consider. It bothers me a bit that every single key person behind the scenes is white -- the director, the writer, the producer, the casting director, the director of photography, the editor, etc -- while every face on screen is black. I loved the experience. I think Dreamgirls has its heart in the right place and I think it deserves all the accolades it will receive but...if there wasn't song & dance? If it was directed by a person of color? Would the recognition of audiences -- all audiences, black or white or whatever -- be the same?
Would my own love of the film be the same?
Having those thoughts, though, doesn't in any way diminish my absolute adoration of the film. It was the best movie I've seen this year and the most enjoyable movie experience I've had since Kung Fu Hustle (which also has musical numbers...see a trend?) and I would happily watch it every day.
It's the black Titanic. Go see it again and again!