Matt Prigg on "Dreamgirls"

Cheers to Matt Prigg of The Philadelphia Weekly for his concise analysis of why "Dreamgirls" fails as the so-called triumph of the film musical:

"How many times does this bombastic, glibly self-satisfied dissection of the Supremes actually feature characters just breaking into song? Not on a stage, not in a recording studio - just breaking into song like it's the most natural thing in the world, as characters are wont to do in movie musicals? Hint: Think low."

No, "Dreamgirls" is a triumph of the anti-musical, not the musical. I, for one, am tired of Bill Condon's timid, hugely overrated approach to the genre.

If you're going to make a musical, make a musical.

(Artwork: DVD dustjacket cover of "Dreamgirls")

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