The Film Junkie

There are very few songs that can illicit the reaction in me that this song does.

I first discovered the Jennifer Holliday original version when I was about 12, and I would sit in front of my computer and just bawl. Her voice, so empowering, it wasn’t about the words, it was about a song completely taking over this woman.

In the years that followed I continued my infatuation, and when ‘Dreamgirls’ came out this year I went to the theatre and Jennifer Hudson made me cry. She had her own take, but once again this unbelievably powerful song just took over her body, mind and soul.

Then once again tonight I was watching, of all things, ‘American Idol’ and this girl Lakisha Jones busted it out. Last song of the night, because nothing can top it.

Does anyone else have a song like that in their lives, a song that when you hear you lose control?

This film electrifies the screen like nothing since ‘Chicago’ (2002), not that there have been many real attempts to make a great musical in the interim. 

A great musical should make your whole body feel whatever the songs are describing.  It should make you cry at a brilliant performance and laugh at classic comedy.  This film does all that while also giving political and social context during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s.

This show has always had one thing on its side, and that is the song ‘And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going’.  It is impossible to sing unless you have amazing range and undeniable stage presence.  Jennifer Holliday gave an unforgettable performance in the early 1980’s that ranks among the greatest Broadway moments ever.  She has reprised in in some Broadway specials and it is an experience.  I was worried going into this film that former ‘American Idol’ contestant Jennifer Hudson would not be up to the challenge of such a difficult and perfect song…I’m so glad I underestimated her.

Hudson’s acting and singing throughout the film is the epitomy of a great musical performance, when she is on screen you can’t look away.  In a cast including huge movie stars like Eddie Murphy, Beyonce and Jamie Foxx, that is certainly saying something.  But when she opens her mouth and begins to let loose that greatest of songs, I could not stop weeping.  It ranks with Judy Garland singing ‘Over The Rainbow’, Julie Andrews singing ‘The Sound of Music’, Liza Minnelli singing ‘Maybe This Time’, Yvonne Elliman singing ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ and Barbra Streisand singing ‘People’ as one of the great musical film moments of all time.

Beyonce is also quite shocking in how restrained and quiet she is in this film.  We are used to brassy, diva Beyonce, but she becomes Diana Ross in this role.  From her voice to the brilliant acting in her shoulders (believe, watch them), Beyonce is becoming an actress before our very eyes.

Eddie Murphy is great as James Brown-esque Jimmy Early, he has annoyed me for years, but here he is not silly  or over-the-top, he is a  serious talent.

Jamie Foxx is always great, and as the sly record exec/husband to the star, he tranforms from the power-hungry small-time player to the big-time asshole with charm.

Anika Noni Rose was probably the most capable of the cast for her role, as a Broadway star and Tony winner.  She sparkles as the third member of The Dreams who falls for the bastard, Early and must cope with everyone around her falling apart.  She has a gorgeous voice and I hope to see her in more than just ‘From Justin to Kelly’.

Bill Condon has long been recognized as a great director in the past for his ‘Gods and Monsters’ (1998) and ’Kinsey’ (2004), and as a great writer with his scripts for those films as well as ‘Chicago’, but now he has put himself into a caliber of director that millions aspire to be.  His film is lush and beautiful, glittery and yet grimy and it all takes place on the stage of everyday life as well as the stage of fame.  It is a fantastic achievement that I am sure will reap many rewards.

Grade: A+