Movie : Dreamgirls

I watched it last Wednesday night at the (not so new) Cathay Cineplex with Sharon Lee and her sister, Serene.

So here's the low down on the movie.

With the groovy soundtrack, soulful renditions of heartfelt ballads, glitzy costumes in all its Technicolor glory, it was one movie I enjoyed immensely.

On the superficial level, the movie appears to be just a story of how a bunch of girls fight to keep their singing dreams alive.

Chick flick? Not on your life babeh.

Let's dissect the strata and try to look deeper.

The movie unravels (albeit sloooooowly) to reveal several serious undercurrents.

Firstly, it is the story of how the music industry has grown. From how the evolution of IP regulations and highlights the dark, real driving forces behind these sectors.

Secondly, it also portrays the level of discrimination faced (and continues to) by people from the minority(ies).

Thirdly, it showcases the human aspect of chasing dreams (and its consequences), friendship, kinship and of how strange love can be.

I sat there, in the dark, watching the characters evolve right before my eyes. Of how Eddie Murphy's character morphed from a gropping sleazebag to that of a broken man. The love triangle that estranged the central characters, and how it affected the people around them. I gasped at their strength to live their lives exactly how they want it, the bravery to move on and let go of the stifling and familiar for freedom to be who they really can be.

I won't say more. You'll have to watch it yourself. And perhaps, you will be able to walk out of the theatre with a little more then when you walked in, just like i have.

Rating : 4/5
Only because it took too much time. Also due to the glaring absence of Jennifer Hudson's name not being prominent in the movie posters even though she sang soooooooooo much in the movie.

the reel drama that unfolds echos the drama that is real