For those of us who are, familiar with the play (and now movie) "Dreamgirls," we know that it is about the rise to stardom of a 1960s-era girl singing group. I cannot speak for the Braodway show, but the movie "Dreamgirls" is about so much more than costumes and love songs. In fact the musical is widely believed to be based on the story of The Supremes, Jamie Foxx's character Curtis Taylor is based on music impresario Berry Gordy.

Though the film touches on a host of lightning rod issues, at its heart, it is about bold, unadulterated ambition. Finally, we have a movie that not only shows African-Americans as, three-dimensional human beings, it also portrays them being smart and fearless in pursuit of their goals. These characters are, in fact, ruthless. Yet, it is not the same type of unabashed criminal, corrupt ruthlessness on display each week on shows like The Wire" or for example in the film "Training Day." These characters — Deena, Curtis, Jimmy, Effie, C.C., and Lorrell — are not devoted to criminal activity, which they don't see as being part of their day-to-day lives. However, they are not above employing it occasionally in, order to get what they feel they rightfully deserve. In chasing their childhood dreams of wealth and stardom, friends sell out friends and even turn their backs on family in order to make their own dreams come true. Hurtful decisions and actions are "just business" and each person is just "property."

Early on in the film, Jamie Foxx's character, Curtis Taylor, rigs a talent contest so that the Dreams — Deena (Beyonce Knowles), Effie (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) — will lose. He then gets them to become backup singers for his client, Jimmy "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). He promises them the world in order to get them to agree to this, and in the end, inadvertently delivers on his promise. Taylor's vision is to have Jimmy be a crossover hit. That is, to sing songs that appeal not only to Blacks, but to whites as well. Although this phenomenon is par for the course in today's world, it was a novelty during the time in which the film is set.

Though we abhor the unconscionable lengths to which Taylor will go to achieve this end, we admire his full-bodied embrace of the new society that the Civil Rights Movement has brought about. The character of Curtis Taylor represents the future. Taylor often butts heads with Danny Glover's character, Marty, who represents the past. Taylor believes Black singers can be popular and accepted by whites and that Deena, a Black woman, can star in films where she is, "not some hooker, junkie, maid." In the end, Taylor gets what he wants. Deena and the Dreams end up going on to fame and fortune in their own right.

The film itself is a sight to behold in terms of the costumes, hair and makeup. These elements are used to help move the action along by visually cuing the audience as to the progression of time. No need for captions at the bottom of the screen telling the audience what the current year is. We get it just from looking at the actors. In addition, the music, obviously an integral part of this film, is rich, substantial, and at times moving beyond words. More than a few audience members shed tears during one or more of the musical numbers. And just forget about when Jennifer Hudson as Effie sung her rendition of "And I Am Telling You." Galoshes were needed. But sadness was not the only emotion the songs evoked. We giggled with her as she sang the touching "Love You I Do" to her on-screen lover. And we felt the heat as the cast members socked it to Effie in "It's AU Over." This, to me, was one of Beyonce's finest moments of the film. The dance numbers were also sensational. The production "Steppin' To The Bad Side" alone was worth the price of the ticket!

The only drawback for me was that this particular story demanded a high degree of emotional investment from its actors. I don't believe that as actors, Knowles, Hudson, and Rose had what it took to really carry these characters to their emotional heights and depths. I also felt that Jamie Foxx could have layered his character a bit more. Sometimes I felt like I was watching a man botoxed into one facial expression. I love Jamie, but that is how I felt. Perhaps after "Ray" I have come to expect too much from him? Still, he packed enough punch to keep me believing his character.

Eddie Murphy did an awesome job of infusing his scenes with energy and engaging the audience's interest. Danny Glover hit the ball out of the park in all his scenes as the agent with one foot in the present and the rest of him stuck in the quicksand of the past. It was a great treat to see some of our favorite actors that we absolutely do not get to see enough of — Loretta Devine (the original Lorrell on Broadway), Dawnn Lewis, John Lithgow, Jaleel White, Yvette Cason, and Esther Scott. There was also a new face that I surely hope we see a whole lot more of — Keith Robinson, who played Effie's brother and songwriter C.C. He did an excellent job of portraying an artist torn between loyalty to his family and his ambitions. He is also gorgeous!!

Final words? Go out and see this movie — and take everyone you know with you!!

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By Nadine Matthews, Special to the AmNews