I haven't seen Dreamgirls yet, but I always like stories like Jennifer Hudson's. To go from hoping to become a singer and being voted off of American Idol to getting the rave reviews for playing Effie in this movie, I'm happy for her. It's rare seeing someone go from a disappointment (AI) to success (Dreamgirls) pretty much in public like she has. That she's the one being talked about in a movie that stars Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Beyonce is saying something. What the critics are saying:

The movie belongs to Hudson as the proud, self-destructive Effie. When she's center stage, Dreamgirls transports you to movie musical heaven. With her powerhouse voice, Hudson turns this Henry Krieger/Tom Eyen song (And I Am Telling You) into a heartbreaking yelp of anguish so potent one preview audience gave it a standing ovation. That's not supposed to happen in movie theaters.
David Ansen, Newsweek

Hudson, taking over the role of Effie played on stage by Jennifer Holliday, is in charge of Dreamgirls from her opening scene, blowing away Grammy-winner Beyoncé Knowles, Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx and anyone else who gets in her way. When she sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" - one of the most heartfelt cries of pain ever written for a musical - Hudson inscribes her name on an Oscar.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

The emotional intensity is immediately pushed several notches higher with Hudson's raw, devastating delivery of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." The anthem of proud desperation is forever linked to Jennifer Holliday's defining original interpretation but Hudson makes it her own, singing it on a bare stage backed by mirrors in an explicit nod to Bennett. An "American Idol" finalist without prior screen experience, Hudson comes fully-formed to film. It's the kind of galvanizing perf that calls to mind debuts like Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" or Bette Midler in "The Rose," with a voice like the young Aretha. More fully developed here than onstage, Effie is the fierce, wounded, pulsating heart of the movie. Her big song and second explosive number "I Am Changing" both elicit audience cheers and applause.
David Rooney, Variety

It wouldn't mean much to say that Dreamette Effie White is the role of Hudson's career because this is her film debut following time spent on "American Idol." You'd never know it though, because under Condon's direction she gives a fearless performance as the Dreamette who pays a price for having a mind of her own. And when she rips into the musical's Tom Eyen/Henry Krieger signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," her singing tears the screen apart.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the biggest surprise is ex-American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson as the pivotal Effie. Not only does Hudson have the pipes, but she gives a standout performance filled with equal amounts of sass, brass, and sadness. Although she resides within the long shadow cast by Broadway's Jennifer Holliday, Hudson is good enough to warrant mention in the same breath. It's hard to imagine the Academy ignoring her, although they may have trouble deciding whether she belongs in the Lead or Supporting character. She's really the heart and soul of Dreamgirls.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Hudson, 25, appeared on Idol's third season, a runner-up reduced to the slag heap by judge Simon Cowell. What sweet revenge! Hudson's film debut is a glorious, Oscar-ready cause for celebration. She can act. She can nail a laugh with the sassy curl of her lip. She can break your heart by letting her eyes show how she hurts. And she can sing until the roof comes off the multiplex. As it will when she tears into "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," a war cry of a song in which Effie futilely battles to stop Curtis from throwing her out of the Dreams and his bed. For those, me included, who saw the great Jennifer Holliday play Effie onstage, the moment is revelatory. Hudson seems to absorb Holliday's spirit while making the role her own. It's a tribute to both their talents.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The sensation here is Hudson, who delivers a soulful performance, capping it with Effie's showstopper "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going."
Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter

When Hudson, who is making her film debut, sings the end-of-first-act showstopper "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going," it's as if some spiritual force has taken hold of her entire being: Her body trembles with each passing note, her wide brown eyes seem to speak the lyrics before they arrive at her lips, and the voice that erupts out of her hardly sounds human—it's the kind of thunderous, soul-stirring bellow that a wronged goddess might make upon learning that she had been betrayed for a mere mortal.
Scott Foundas, Village Voice

I'm looking forward to seeing Dreamgirls.

Here's an article from USA Today who praises Hudson

Hudson propels 'Dreamgirls'
Updated 12/15/2006 9:24 AM ET
By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY
Jennifer Hudson is the heart and soul of Dreamgirls.
When she's on the screen, the movie shines. When she's not, the whole endeavor suffers.

The story, based on the hit Broadway musical, is fairly conventional. A trio of young singers (Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles and Anika Non-i Rose) find fame, fortune and heartache in pursuit of their musical dreams.

Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), a business manager with a sharp eye for talent, discovers them at a local talent contest and transforms them into The Dreams, the backup band for James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Soon, The Dreams' star power eclipses Early's.

It's all about the rousing musical numbers, notably Hudson's show-stopping, heart-wrenching And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going). It's a rare thing for a movie audience to burst into spontaneous applause after an on-screen musical number, but it happened at my screening, and others.

Hudson's performance stands out from the rest, though Murphy is surprisingly moving as the fading singer who would like to tackle more relevant material but is held back by manager Taylor.

The weakest link is the stunning Knowles. The camera clearly loves her, and her singing is not in contention, but as an actress, she has a vapid quality. Despite the array of dazzling fashion ensembles, and the effort to channel Diana Ross, her performance remains one-note, particularly in contrast to Hudson's nuanced portrayal.

The film is worth seeing simply for the on-screen splendor of Hudson, a losing contestant on TV's American Idol. She's a natural — musically and theatrically — and delivers a tour-de-force performance.

Hudson's Effie is a complex character marked by vulnerability, pride and defeatism. She comes across alternately as unyieldingly tough and self-pitying.

But, as played by Hudson, she is always compelling.

Director Bill Condon does a fine job adapting the musical to the screen, and it's an enjoyable experience. It's just not as transcendent as you would hope. Dreamgirls falls short of a musical film like Chicago, for which Condon wrote the screenplay but did not direct, partly because the source material is not as inspired.

The sets, costumes and production design are all superb. Historical references and context are subtly added to offset some of the stagy quality that is inherent to filmed musicals.

Dreamgirls is all about the star-making machinery, loosely patterned on the career of The Supremes and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.

The movie Dreamgirls has revved up that machinery, fashioning a star out of a virtual unknown. Perhaps the movie's tag line should read "A Star is Born."



http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-12-14-dreamgirls-review_x.htm

There was one quote I read in a review from RT that said:

"And When she sings 'And I am telling you I am not going' - one of the most heartfelt cries of pain ever written for a musical - Hudson inscribes her name on an Oscar" - New York Daily News

Seriously the way it's worded, gives me chills.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie!!

There was one quote I read in a review from RT that said:

"And When she sings 'And I am telling you I am not going' - one of the most heartfelt cries of pain ever written for a musical - Hudson inscribes her name on an Oscar" - New York Daily News

Seriously the way it's worded, gives me chills.

I felt the same way the first time I read that. I said "WOW" it must be some incredible performance.

i know this movie looks great

I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie!!

:nod: :nod: :nod: !!!!

This movie does look really good. I learned that American Idol winner Fantasia tried out for the role that Jennifer Hudson plays, but she wasn't choosen. I still like Fantasie, but I thought that was interesting fact.

The scene where she sings the song is amazing, you wouldn't know that this is her first movie from the way she delivers it.

The scene where she sings the song is amazing, you wouldn't know that this is her first movie from the way she delivers it.
I can't wait to see ths movie, and I like your avatar. Very cool.

I saw Dreamgirls yesterday and it's very good. Jennifer Hudson did a very good job and so did Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Beyonce. Loretta Devine and Jaleel White who played Urkel on Family Matters tv show had small parts. Sharon Leal who played on Boston Public tv show replaced Jennifer in the group.

Dawnn Lewis who played on A Different World tv show also had a small part as Eddie Murphy's wife. When i went to see Dreamgirls yesterday, the line was very long. I was surprised because i've never had to stand in a long line before at the movies. I couldn't believe it was so many people that wanted to see Dreamgirls yesterday.

jennefier was great

I was so pissed off. :mad: When Jennifer started to sing her song these stupid a$$ people were just screaming in the audience. I couldn't hardly hear her singing. They were too rowdy. They blew it for those of us who wanted to hear her sing the song. One thing I enjoyed was Eddie Murphy. He's got to win that Oscar.

I LOVED Dreamgirls!!!! SUCH an amazing movie!!!!! Jennifer Hudson's performance blew everyone else out of the water!!!!! Everybody's performances were great, but you have to give Jennifer props!!! Man, she sang her heart out!!!! I really hope Dreamgirls is recognized at the big award shows! It deserves it!!!

I just saw this movie today and I was absolutely amazed by it all, especially by Jennifer Hudson's performance. After she sang And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, mostly everyone in the theater applauded, but I just sat there all teary-eyed. It was just so beautiful and powerful and I felt her angst and pain as she sang that song. She may have come in seventh place on American Idol in 2004, but I'm so glad her talent didn't go to waste. After this movie, I'm sure Jennifer is going to have a long and successful career ahead of her. :D

I just saw it today as well and it really was quite good. Hudson's performance was top notch. The rest of the cast was just perfect really too. Beyonce was surprisingly very good and I was equally impressed with Eddie Murphy who is the going to be nominated for an Oscar as well.

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com

How the first Dreams came true

BY JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
DAILY NEWS THEATER WRITER

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007

If Golden Globe nominations and sold-out screenings are indications that "Dreamgirls" fever is raging, it isn't the first time the musical has heated January in the city.

Just ask Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holliday, the original Dreamettes who took Broadway by storm 25 years ago. It opened on Dec. 20, 1981.


LORETTA DEVINE

Originated the role: Lorrelle Robinson, played by Anika Noni Rose in the film.

You know her from: "Crash," "Waiting to Exhale," "The Preacher's Wife," "Grey's Anatomy."

Devine, 57, is the lone Broadway Dreamgirl in the film, bridging past and the present.

"I am very excited about being a part of movie history," says Devine, who appeared last month in Los Angeles in "The Bayou Legend," an adaptation of Ibsen's "Peer Gynt" set in the American South. Being in the film "is really an honor. I don't know how I got picked out of the three of us. Maybe it is because I have been doing more movies."

Devine plays a jazz singer, a role that took only one day to film. "It is a cameo. I had hoped the three of us would do something," she says, referring to Ralph and Holliday. "Life is ironic. When we did the original show everybody was nominated for a Tony except me. I had such a hard time."

What does Devine think of her movie counterpart? "She is the glue of the show," she says of Anika Noni Rose. "She is wonderful."


SHERYL LEE RALPH

Originated the role: Deena Jones, played by Beyoncé Knowles in the film.

You know her from: "Designing Women," "The Distinguished Gentleman."

At the L.A. premiere, Ralph says, the mood was electric.

"It has been amazing," she says. "It's feels like the premiere 25 years ago, but it's different."

Had she been asked to be in the movie, she would have leapt at the chance.

"How could I have said no?" she asks. "Hollywood is a well-oiled machine. They have their ways of doing things. I am not in this movie because I am not supposed to be in this movie."

As for Beyoncé?

"I honestly think Beyoncé did a good job. She is growing as an actress little by little. It took Diana Ross time to grow, too."


JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

Originated the role: Effie White, played by Jennifer Hudson in the film.

You know her from: "Ally McBeal."

Holliday won a Tony playing Effie White, the overweight Dreamette who is pushed aside to make Deena a star. Her rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is legendary.

"I have carried the torch for Effie for the past 25 years," says Holliday, who has publicly expressed her disappointment about not being in the film. "I have continually sung the song for all that time. I've never left Effie. She has always been a part of me."

Not being involved in the movie has left her shaken.

"I'm in the middle between the bitter and the sweet," she says. "Back over the summer I was very bitter because they were using my voice in the trailers and I knew it was wrong. Now, with the [recent] anniversary ... it is sweeter. The anniversary of 'Dreamgirls' is still ours. I can't help but feel proud of that."