Opened: December 25, 2006

Directed by: Bill Condon

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Eddie Murphy, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, Loretta Devine, Dawnn Lewis, John Lithgow, John Krasinski, Jaleel White, Rory O’Malley, Cleo King, Yvette Nicole Brown & Laura Bell Bundy

Fueled by high energy and stellar performances, Dreamgirls is a near-perfect film adaptation.

Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx) discovers the Dreamettes – Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) – at a talent competition. He gives them early success as backup singers for Jimmy Early (Eddie Murphy), but tensions grow as the girl group is brought into their own spotlight.

Effie is an absolute star-making role for Hudson. Previously an American Idol contestant, this allowed her to step into the spotlight and show her true talents. Even with all the big-name talent around her, she’s the one you’ll be thinking about long after the film is over.

The storyline and characters are thin at times – despite mirroring the real-life drama of Diana Ross & the Supremes – but the stellar musical numbers will make you forget about that.

Final say: Love this I do. ★★★★☆