Justice for Effie and Jimmy - Dreamgirls 2006 movie commentary recap

[@angie2452]

When Lorrell was crying in Deena's arms saying "she won't let me see him, I was like 😐. Girl you had an affair with a married man. Why would his wife let you see his body????

[@Butterflies515]

I always said that

[@Msladyrae92]

She was a kid when they started dating. She was brainwashed about that man

[@SomethingNewAMBW]

that girl was groomed

[@MsTrueTy]

Lorrell is a great example of grooming. She 18 and he was way too old for her, a womanizer and also married. Lorrell was star struck and although she had morals for a while he broke her down. Made her his side piece and even had her thinking everyone was jealous of their love and trying to break them up. She went from get your married hands off to nothing breaking us up. If that ain't grooming idk what is. Effie played strong even criticizing Jimmy cheating. And yet still Effie said it's okay cause they were in love. She spoke one thing but then changed up cause lorrell was in love? He still married! It seems like the one who truly recognized the men in the room was Deena. She knew her friends were being manipulated but they were un phased by her warnings. Deena knew what it was but played her cards right. I think Deena sin was she let the fame get to her head. Always being called the lesser of the group and now she is the tops. I think that's how Curtis was able to get her eventually. The only one in a healthy relationship was Michelle and cee cee going by the movie.

[@llbabygirl1528]

I wish the movie would’ve touched on Cee Cee’s and Michelle’s relationship more cuz it seemed like they broke up too

[@coreyrae0183]

The amount of gaslighting this movie is abundant! Effie was right all along.

[@aubreebaker9282]

Exactly.

[@youmadornahhh]

I think the point of the movie has always been that all of the girls were groomed.

[@aubreebaker9282]

@@youmadornahhh I will admit now that you put it like that it makes since. I have a question how old were all of the girls because I know that they were at least in their late teens .

[@maxxieoliver598]

@@aubreebaker9282i think they were around 16-17 and effie a lil older

[@aubreebaker9282]

@@maxxieoliver598 Ok that makes it even worse on Curtis and Jimmy's part .

[@nicolesherman8974]

“Curtis was suppose to love me” 🗣️🗣️ If Diana Ross ever saw this movie she was probably like Maddie from Euphoria: “Is this f*cking play about us?”

[@joshuamcdowell9745]

Diana allegedly saw the Broadway production and didn't like it. Sheryl Lee Ralph said that Diana shaded her when she first met her.

[@blackalisondilaurentis1996]

@@joshuamcdowell9745she’s mad about the truth 😂

[@megamanxhunter]

​@@joshuamcdowell9745 Of course she didn't like it. I'm sure Berry Gordy didn't either.

[@JMac7395]

Ironically, that's almost the reaction she had when Dreamgirls Broadway Musical was originally released back 1981. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played Deena, stated that Diana Ross publicly snubbed her at a restaurant. Diana Ross hated the Broadway musical because of how it portrayed her & embellished certain situations that occurred at Motown records

[@PrincessofPower84]

@megamanxhunter Indeed. In fact, not only was Smokey Robinson (Berry's best friend) infuriated by the film, he also demanded DreamWorks and Paramount give Berry an apology, which they eventually did.

[@smilealwaysnatasha3423]

I was most mad at CC than anyone else in this film because Effie is his blood sister and he traded her in for money and fame only to get egg thrown in his face and then he needed to beg for her forgiveness to help him fulfill his needs again. CC ain’t shit. Also peep how Michelle was the new girl and also his woman (I don’t know if you clocked that or not).

[@trealapre]

Yes!!! I clocked that Michelle tea when I just watched it a couple days ago. C.C. needed his ass whooped! And the only reason he came back to her was to make himself feel good about his music. He was a lot like Curtis in the self serving aspect.

[@gambler942]

First off yes C.C. should have stick by Effie side even though she was in mood, but the problem is that no one knows she was pregnant with Curtis child, not even Effie known she was pregnant herself. they just think that she was jealous and hard to understand, if she had told them she was pregnant they could have let her go easy

[@truthseeker9249]

@@gambler942 Cap. Effie did know. When everyone fought with her and threw her out she had just found out that day. If Curtis had just shut up and listen for one second he'd know Effie was trying to tell him something.

[@blackalisondilaurentis1996]

The sad thing about this movie is how it’s based on the supremes. The way Florence Ballard was screwed over by Barry Gordy. rip Florence Ballard 🩷

[@homehere9817]

😢

[@christopherbrown5409]

The sadder thing is Florence never got the second chance that Effie did

[@blackalisondilaurentis1996]

@@christopherbrown5409 that’s the part that always gets me 💔 Berry Gordy really did sabotage her solo career and never gave her any opportunities

[@aubreebaker9282]

I've always heard this I never knew if it were true or not .

[@AdultThirdCultureKid1971]

My thumbs up means that I saw the movie and I agree with you about this movie was based on the Supremes. I'm thinking that The Runaways had similar experiences with their manager, too.

[@esjay-rh7wx]

The Effie-Curtis-Deena love triangle also shows Curtis starting a romantic relationship with Effie as his placeholder but then later dumping her for Deena, his preference. Effie deserved better.

[@lifeofmarshae]

Omg yes, curtis been wanting deena and tried to play effie like he didnt

[@mollyshaj.3888]

he was damn near blatant with it. remember when she asked him was his exwife skinny or did he prefer real women like her, and that mf brought up his sisters being "Real" like her lmao and she fell for it. like tf does his sisters being big have to do with what his ex looked like?@@lifeofmarshae

[@ASprinkleOfJericka]

BINGOOOO

[@octaviusyoungs5429]

He used her because he knew that she was the leader

[@aesinam]

He used her to get the group

[@SuperAngel463]

“we need a lighter sound” meaning in skin tone, weight, and voices

[@BeautyLoves88]

🎯

[@aesinam]

"You'll always be 16 to me" was definitely the most messed up line in the movie and showed what an all round creep Curtis was

[@micahwilliams1332]

Was Effie overly rude and shady? Yes. Was she difficult at times even before the pregnancy? Absolutely. But what confused me about everything was how not even her brother sat tf down with her and got to the bottom of things. Laurel would even give it back to Effie, so her passiveness was heartbreaking. I can't be mad at people for being over the abuse; I just wish they had a spine. A spine BEFORE all kicking her out together like a group bonding activity.

[@youmadornahhh]

she was also a child when she met Curtis.

[@whorror7406]

​@@youmadornahhhi thought effie was an adult between 18 - 20 when they met curtis.

[@shaniarobertson4920]

@@whorror7406still pretty young. I think Curtis is a good 5+ years older

[@thunderstudios1211]

It’s funny because I noticed that in the actual broadway production, CC was actually somewhat there for his sister. That movie made the play a lot messier than it was

[@arariddley3314]

"This time Effie White's gonna-uh...win!" lives RENT FREE in my head. I know that's right Effie!

[@tarawalker7193]

My favorite riff in the whole movie!

[@mommamia9948]

She SANG that ! 😂 my favorite little song in the movie. I sing it all the time

[@rahbeeuh]

I came across this comment as that scene played out 😂

[@darrielbaldwin3087]

One of my favorite movies, and I still believe that Eddie Murphy deserved that Oscar, he acted his ass off in this movie and is one of my favorite roles by him.

[@esjay-rh7wx]

Eddie acted, sang, danced and rapped; he did it all!

[@jinb6242]

I so agree the one of the biggest snub in movie history.

[@filmgirlLisa]

It was Norbit that killed it for him. Voters were reminded that he was primarily a comedian and it killed his chance for being taken seriously.

[@darrielbaldwin3087]

@@filmgirlLisayeah you’re right, he did norbit right after this and it was slammed by critics, which is a shame cause he had a good chance in that category that year.

[@raynbowebeb868]

Yes, he did because 🎶Jimmy got S.O.U.L Soul🎶 😂😂

[@myriamelamonge3353]

Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé did their part in this role cuz honey the tension between them was serious.

[@llbabygirl1528]

Beyonce not so much maybe Jennifer

[@mommamia9948]

@@llbabygirl1528I think Beyoncé did well playing a meek, weak willed young lady who let people walk over her, but peeped game. She was watching everything but was too soft to say something and I think she portrayed it well. I think everyone in the movie did a great job!

[@llbabygirl1528]

@@mommamia9948 Yeah u right

[@KikiW89]

Jennifer yeah Beyonce can't act

[@user-ny8td3on3m]

@@KikiW89she did amazing and much better than you could ever do in your entire life

[@wwe682]

I wholeheartedly agree that Effie despite her anger being justified against the people that screwed her over I didn't like how she unintentionally made her daughter suffer because of her bitterness and pride. Like not accepting money had me all the way tight

[@withlovetabs]

this is so late lol BUT she did get some money!! she got half a million dollars, she says it when she’s talking to the owner of the club trying to get a job performing later in the year. she spent it all drinking. i thought the same till i rewatched!

[@ereka333]

I hate to say it, but the Disco version of “One Night Only” is a certified banger lol. The choreography. I love it

[@christianataylor8926]

It EATSSSS! Two things can be true at once: messing over Effie again was awful buttttt the disco version is a BOP😂

[@zdoster]

Right took a great song and made it better through thievery and payola

[@marvinhicks2016]

That’s what made it hurt so bad 😭😭

[@terrajae9629]

No fr I wanted to be mad but I couldn’t it was too good

[@1_star_reviews]

😂😂😂

[@Meadowsandmangoes]

Damn the brother could have warned her smh

[@jmonique6409]

He was a snake too

[@esjay-rh7wx]

Right?! CC NEVER had her back! He would have been dead to me too; but I would have spent every dollar he sent me 😂

[@Wakanda888]

I knew it was Dreamgirls. All you needed to say was all star cast, 2007 and Oscar winner and that was it. I can't believe I was right. Yes!!!!!!

[@kdoladi4758]

Me too!! This is like 4th one I got right!

[@bunnywitvh2]

Like i literally jumped up and down when i found out i was right

[@Ms_megamind_]

Samee

[@cclovnme]

Why I had to replay 11:02 like five times. 😂 Had me dying.

[@adafihj6439]

Sameeeeee

[@lovefromwonderland]

Curtis was SO self-serving and I don’t understand how no one other than Effie saw it. And I personally feel like Effie was egotistical and nasty a lot of the time.

[@smilealwaysnatasha3423]

They was too blinded by the possibilities of lights, and sparkles, and money

[@mochalily3735]

Effie didn’t see it either. She was under his spell until he started looking at Deena. The illusion only broke once he betrayed someone, like how Jimmy suddenly saw how Curtis was once he started pushing him aside and mocking him. I guarantee if Curtis had decided to put Deena out of the group, Effie would’ve been just as complacent.

[@mariahyohannes]

The only person who seen it was Marty

[@mollyshaj.3888]

Even then she was still under his spell.. And I am telling you she's literally begging him to stay. So atp you kind of know, had he not put her out the group she was fully prepared to stay in order to just have some sort of a piece of him all the while hating Deena for falling for the same BS she did. @@mochalily3735

[@sakhile_8595]

​​@@mariahyohannes Exactly and it was stupid for Jimmy to pick Curtis over him.

[@blackpoptart4781]

Even though Jimmy wasn't the best person for Larell, Im glad she didn't inherit a drinking and/or drug problem while she was dealing with him.

[@IAmSanaaLanett]

I just noticed…. ALL OF those paintings and artistry of Deena was literally Diana Ross 😮

[@truthseeker9249]

I didn't notice that either. Well if anybody STILL didn't realize this movie was about The Supremes, they basically hit you over the head with it.

[@slinkbradshaw8674]

Shoutout to KZbin for having this absolute classic for free

[@matxalenc8410]

And shoutout to you for telling us!

[@Sasha-vb3mh]

Where ???!

[@rahstara]

@@Sasha-vb3mhSearch up Dreamgirls on KZbin, you will see the full movie. It’s free with ads.

[@cosmictraveler1146]

@@Sasha-vb3mhI think on premium, they have a bunch of free movies!

[@basketoffruit4485]

They change up the free movies available on KZbin every month, so right now (March 2024 as I'm writing this), it's not free, but it was in January and February. The good thing is that movies that have been free at least once have a good chance of being free again, so you just might have to wait a while for it to come back.

[@tashibalampkin8555]

Laurel was on some goofy mess. But I will say that acting bit when she finds out Jimmy dies is alway heartbreaking to watch.

[@whorror7406]

lorrell is like 16 at the beginning of the movie lmao. dude is predatory asf going after her.

[@NunuBird]

@@whorror7406she is 17 she even states when she turns 18

[@wintersantiago2274]

She was crying over another woman’s husband

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

I enjoyed this movie. I liked how Loretta Devine was in it when she’s one of the original Dreamgirls, Jamie Foxx played the shady record mogul giving Big Red from The Five Heartbeats vibes & Eddie Murphy showed his range. Jaleel White was in the movie & the lady who ran interference on the bus was Elgin’s grandmother in You Got Served. Next week’s review is Brown Sugar.

[@christinethuo6840]

Jamie was giving Berry Gordy

[@tiannaspence9671]

So, Effie was acting up for months, mean and full of attitude BECAUSE she was pregnant. That’s why he says “you been late, you been mean and getting fatter all the time” but Curtis didn’t know she has pregnant. Deena finally left Curtis because she asked him to have a child but he didn’t want to have a kid with her, then she finds out that Effie had a baby with Curtis all this time. Did you also peep at the end how Michelle didn’t get Effie a hug? She’s still traumatized from that argument of “It’s all over”, also, Michelle actually started off as their secretary. She first appears in the scene at the cadillac dealership. Curtis must have planned to keep her on reserve if she ended up being a replacement for Effie anyways. Sooo glad you finally reviewed this movie!

[@esjay-rh7wx]

I think it's a blessing in disguise that Deena never had a child for Curtis. That way when she finally left him, there was no child that he could use to try to manipulate her and stay in Deena's life after their divorce.

[@JMac7395]

Michelle & Effie were never friends or acquaintances prior to Effie being fired. It's makes sense that they wouldn't hug each other. Even if Effie hadn't been pregnant, I still think she would've given Curtis a piece of her mind

[@tiannaspence9671]

@@JMac7395 I would imagine that since she has was doing work for them as their secretary or typing if I remember correctly, they would have had some type interaction. She said in It’s All Over, “how much did you put out to get in?” while touching the strap of her dress, to Michelle implying she thinks Michelle probably slept with Curtis to get to be her replacement.

[@tiannaspence9671]

@@esjay-rh7wx he definitely would have used that to keep her! Her not having a child and him having one with Effie when that was Deena’s dream, was the icing on the cake she needed to leave him. You can see more of their scene together in deleted version,. The cut song of their duet “When I First Saw You”

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

​@@tiannaspence9671i wouldn't be be surprised if she did.

[@TheBrookeJ]

I saw this movie on Christmas night the day it came out. The theatre audience gave a standing ovation to j hud after “I’m telling you” and when they showed her in the credits. It was a MOMENT. Chills.

[@forthenostalgia]

I was in tears the first time I saw her scene. Jennifer did that!

[@14omoon]

I was breathless it was Such a moment!

[@TenaciousTre]

YES, so did mine! The audience I was in also applauded after Beyonce sang Listen

[@Honeeeeyyyy]

Sameeee !!! Lol same day, same ovation 💯🤣🤣🤣 everybody was nice & full from dinner, had blankets n shit 😂😂😂 lit

[@lori6305]

You couldn’t tell me NOTHING when this came on I WILL singing every song and every line 😭

[@llbabygirl1528]

Right I love almost all of these songs in this movie

[@KDBetter]

Every 👏🏽 single 👏🏽 time 👏🏽

[@truthseeker9249]

Me too. And I sing it full volume and drive my mom crazy.

[@Marcieajk]

I think it's kinda overlooked that the girls, outside of Effie maybe, were definitely underage at the start of the movie soooo Jimmy and Curtis was already on my radar for *that*

[@gvirusqueen3559]

“You’ll always be 16 to me.” 👀 Sir?

[@NiaJohnson101]

I saw Priscilla in theaters and the scene where she leaves Elvis reminded me a lot of Deena leaving Curtis. In retrospect, Deena’s character arc is very similar to similar to Priscilla’s life up until she left Elvis.

[@arianaj26]

Effie was at-least 19-21 Deena was said to be 16 at the start of the movie, Jimmy waited until lorrell was 18 to sleep with her, which they discussed in the dressing room scene. They were all manipulated, it’s crazy

[@Darkstalker1012]

@@gvirusqueen3559Fr, when I first watched this, I was thinking “If somebody don’t report his p3rvy behind”..🤢🤮

[@basketoffruit4485]

​@@gvirusqueen3559my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he said that like what???? Groomer much?

[@greerakual]

It’s funny that Deena is not supposed to have a somewhat decent voice when she being played by Beyonce 😂😂. I love all your analysis, this was extra sweet to me❤

[@christopherbrown5409]

Her voice isn't bad, just not the best or most powerful. Also, the part is about as old as Beyoncé

[@MissGNX]

BeYAWNce don’t have a decent voice it’s screechy & yodeling

[@user-ny8td3on3m]

@@MissGNXBeyoncé has an amazing voice and is one of the best vocalists alive it’s embarrassing how some of you try to discredit her as if she doesn’t have one of the longest consistently amazing voices and she never had any vocal decline unlike many of the starts before her. It’s absolutely disgusting and any live performance of hers shows her vocal talents.

[@MissGNX]

@@user-ny8td3on3m It’s embarrassing y’all bought the con game

[@TrikelaJones]

I liked that part when effie was singing to curtis at the end "this time effie whiiiite gon-na uhh wiiin!❤😂. This was a classic. I was a small kid when i watched this movie.

[@Butterflies515]

That part always made me cry…

[@packnetadaija]

I remembered seeing this movie in theaters, everyone have a standing ovation after Jhud sang I’m not goin 😂😂

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Beyonce can not act, but Jennifer and Aniki Rose (I love her in everything, incredible range) did wonderful. Curtis was a snake from the beginning and colorism as well other issues were EXTREMELY evident. From business to his personal life, he didn't act with sound decision making. Jimmy wasn't better but they made their choices.

[@geraldwarren6438]

HONEY I AGREE! SHE'S NOT AN ACTRESS!

[@PrincessofPower84]

@@geraldwarren6438 Man, oh, man. I hope that Obsessed is eventually reviewed here. SO much bad acting to behold, especially from Queen Bey. 😂

[@geraldwarren6438]

@@PrincessofPower84 I agree. We can't do everything & that's ok. I wish some of the rich people realized that!

[@Regmuslima]

Personally, I think she can pull off comedy better than serious dramatic roles. Goldmember was her best performance in my opinion

[@KingGemini87]

Why do you say that Beyonce can't act? I'm just curious. No disrespect

[@Thrashaholic1988]

Not only Elvis, Pat Boone as well. Stuff like that reminds me of The Five Heartbeats and The Four Horsemen situation. "Yea, we've got soul...."

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

Which was based on the Temptations.

[@Thrashaholic1988]

@@KKelly-ng1ni truth indeed

[@Msladyrae92]

“Curtis was supposed to -“ “Love me …. Curtis was supposed to love me “

[@queenjasz7685]

“No personality my ass” 🤣🤣🤣

[@Teirajanae]

Imagine your best friend stealing your man and your dream 😭😭 then them telling you that you’re doing too much. I’ll never get over how they did Effie White! Especially Cee Cee dirty self! Still my favorite movie tho 😂

[@AshleiKylie]

yes lol and she’s gaslight the whole movie and apologized to Dena for why ??!!

[@tashibalampkin8555]

The intro is amazing. That "face card" edit absolutely excellent.

[@lifeofmarshae]

While everyone is saying that effie was this and that, i feel like she did go after what she wanted. She wasn’t nasty and had an attitude, the people she trysted and loved was playing in her face. They tried to make her the villain but she wasn’t

[@joshuamcdowell9745]

"Effie Sing My Song" with Effie and CC is the most slept on musical number in Dreamgirls. I love that song. It was in the director's cut. Jennifer and Keith Robinson sung that song.

[@avery03]

I remember when this movie first came out and I was 3. I was obsessed with Jennifer, Beyoncé, and Anika's performance

[@Wowitzkay]

Girl you don’t remember this coming out at 3 years old 💀

[@cadillacdeville5828]

@@Wowitzkay 😂😂

[@shostysboo]

Same! I vaguely remember my parents watching this movie as a kid (also three) and I finally watched it earlier this year and I’m turning 21 this year🥲

[@avery03]

@@shostysboo OMG SAME, I would be 21 in April

[@Zvwry]

I just turned 21 on Sunday!

[@ArabbJrK]

Man the soundtrack for this movie is fantastic. I wish Eddie Murphy did a full song of “I Meant You No Harm”

[@xxHeadRadioxx]

They sang her out the group. I’m still not over the fact they really did that in her face.

[@kaylabean3693]

But she held her own against all of them!

[@KeeTv2023]

JHud really made Bey step her vocals up after this movie 💯

[@tatiannabaker3943]

I think Curtis was the only actual manipulator and the others were just too caught up in the fame and being brain washed by Curtis! He changed their lives and so ofc they’re gonna go with whatever he says. With dena.. I mean the way effie made her feel probably made it easier to go against her

[@forthenostalgia]

I agree!

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

She was narcissistic and disloyal. Imagine the amount of planning that had to go on behind Effie's back for these things to happen.

[@shayla106]

⁠@@KKelly-ng1ni You sound delusional .

[@aesinam]

​@@shayla106she was talking about Deena and yes I agree with her. She was definitely disloyal

[@alexricky87]

As soon as you said 2000s Destiny's Child I suddenly realized the new singer's name was literally Michelle. And I've watched this movie several times. Definitely subscribing

[@simplydeep1985]

bay bay that knockin the boots meme video never gets old at 11:01, lol

[@smilealwaysnatasha3423]

lol took me by surprised 😂😂 I was like wait haha

[@KeeTv2023]

I love BOTH One Night Only songs BUT Effie sang the snot out of hers ❤

[@demonsprinkler5979]

But like I also felt that Deena was lowkey shaded by Effie and was said to basically have no spark or presence, now CURTIS was the villain DOWN he hurt so many of the people who built his empire gaslit Effie and made it so she couldn't get a break in the industry even though her talent would've blown many away.

[@filmgirlLisa]

I love these recaps. She should expand it to the 60s and 70s. I would love to see a recap for Mahogany.

[@bougiebohemian5393]

Ooohh that’s a good one! Love Mahogany

[@AngelaFlowersLofton]

1:53 I had a whooooooole moment when I realized that was Jaleel White! :O

[@moniquewrites9046]

Watching the premiere was super fun!!! Wonderful quality and great commentary. As a black person, it is cathartic to review and to put name and place to the dysfunctional side of business and family. Too often in black families we just sweep it under the rug!

[@SincerelyVeola]

“Curtis the snake” 👏🏾 so accurate!

[@ledajiahill-boyd578]

It wouldve been so cool if they had all the OG Dreams in the movie. Loretta was the singer at the wake, Sheryl Lee could've been Deena's mama, and Jennifer could've played Curtis' aunt

[@ChocoLex]

Effie tried to tell Curtis she was pregnant. “We both share the same blood. We both have the same mind”

[@kaylabean3693]

Okay this is dumb on my part but I thought she meant they had the same blood type😭😭😭😭

[@MyAccountForCommenting]

My only issue with this movie version of the acclaimed play is that Effie's solo ballad is the pennacle performance in the play. It's the song the play is known for. However, in this movie, they gave Beyonce her own solo ballad with "Listen." It came off to me like they just couldn't let JHud have that spotlight to herself.

[@hana9466]

So we’re are gonna act like Effie didn’t body shame and put her friends down BEFORE she was “betrayed”?????????????

[@kashiialcuin1688]

I think effie grew up always being compared looks wise to her friends so she would snap 1st. It's absolutely not right but shoot with "friends" like hers...

[@hana9466]

@@kashiialcuin1688 I mean if someone consistently belittled my looks or talent to boost themselves, I’d have no qualms about undermining them. But I also wouldn’t remain friends with them either so.. that’s on them as well.

[@kashiialcuin1688]

@hana9466 honestly I agree. Just because effie was usually pretty right doesn't stop her from being mean. She needed therapy in a time there wasn't any.

[@courtneicey15]

Body shame who?

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

She was probably paying back what people had said about her. Only in reverse. Don't act like people didn't body shame especially back then. Look how they are now. There's a reason why eating disorders are more prevalent amongst famous women.

[@demonsprinkler5979]

Both versions defo eat but I am a disco girly at heart and it's just something in the energy, but Effie's version was so emotionally raw.

[@aamia3769]

The way i see it, no one left with clean hands. The way they all treated Curtis proves that everyone needs a villain in their story. But they all had a hand in the way things played out. When it comes to the girls being underage that's definitely different and I don't blame the girls for being naive.

[@reedviii]

Brown Sugar starring Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs (aftermath of the 1999 original malcolm lee film)

[@lenab2237]

And Disappearing acts . That’ll be a great one !

[@dionneevette7199]

Brown sugar maybe? I’m excited I love these recaps of the classics!

[@shay_lah]

I like how you refer to him as Curtis the snake 😂😂😂💯

[@kimberlyyoung3837]

This was great!! Girl you know you threw me under the bus “rollin about how they took all the seasoning, garlic, onion powder out of that song”…….I’m still laughing. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@monir7904]

This is one of my faves! I always thought Deena looked up to Effie and followed whatever she said whether in word or action. Effie said it’s okay to have fun sometimes, then she notices Curtis (with his sleazy self). Once Effie left, Deena seemed to take longer to come out of her cocoon to be the woman she wanted and needed to be. Although I love both versions of One Night Only, a good disco beat goes a long way for me.

[@NiaJohnson101]

This review made me rewatch the movie. I haven’t seen it since I was kid. Something that stood out to me was Deena’s relationship with her mother. It isn’t directly addressed, but the subtext makes it clear that she was an overbearing figure in Deena’s life. We first meet her running late for the talent show because she was waiting for her mom to fall asleep. When she goes on tour with Jimmy, she leaves her mom a note when she’s sleeping. She’s a bit of a doormat and isn’t used to standing up for her own interests, which carries over to her relationship with Curtis. Curtis and Deena’s dynamic is mirrors that of a parent and a child - he’s controls her image and career and pushes her to do the Cleopatra movie. She even takes a secret meeting with the directors of a different movie, mirroring how she used to sneak around with her mom. We don’t even see Deena and Curtis’ courtship. Part way through the movie, I wasn’t sure if Deena even liked Curtis or if that dynamic is just familiar to her.

[@angie2452]

Unpopular opinion: I think Bey acting was fine in this movie. Actually, make that in all her movies. She's not the strongest actress, but she's also not the worst. This is embarrassing. Despite watching Shrek 1 and 2, I somehow was still surprised to find out Eddie Murphy can sing from watching this movie.

[@kashiialcuin1688]

Mmm live action wise? Shes... okay. This was her best performance followed by Cadillac records. But her voice acting... hard no. She was so off putting in the lion king.

[@angie2452]

@@kashiialcuin1688 Yeah, live action wise. I don't think I ever seen any of her voice acting roles so I can't judge.

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@angie2452did you like her on obsessed

[@keptbygrace6221]

Look up Eddie's song "Party all the time" 🎶

[@kashiialcuin1688]

@keptbygrace6221 my dad told me and my brother about that song when I was 14 and my brother became obsessed with that song. I heard it soooo much I still hear it in my dreams 20 years later

[@esjay-rh7wx]

Per usual, you delivered an excellent review, full of humor and insight. I'm not a big fan of musicals either, but I love this movie and "Chicago". I think with these 2 movies most of the music numbers are woven into the story lines; to the point where plot events continue to unfold as a song continues. That technique keeps the movie from coming to a halt for a song, unlike a lot of other musicals.

[@forthenostalgia]

Thank you ☺ You made a great point. Even with the musical numbers, the story never stopped.

[@christopherhayes6713]

I remember seeing this in the movie theater and it was literally a standing ovation when Effie sang. I was like yeaaa she definitely getting an award 😊

[@Steffonkentavian]

You so messy for that opening clip! 😂😂😂 I’m hollering!!!

[@PrincessofPower84]

Please do the 2012 version of Sparkle and how much it backrides this film.

[@toyaJM]

Sparkle the original movie is better than the remake and came out before dreamgirls the play and the movies. I think Sparkle actually inspired Dreamgirls.

[@PrincessofPower84]

@@toyaJM It did inspire Dreamgirls, but the remake of Sparkle was quite derivative of this remake.

[@RasheedaParker-qn9ec]

I love dreamgirls! They were my childhood movie and justice for Effie

[@ChristaBlack-gn8ys]

"Already thinking about how to monetize her" LMAO!? 🤣

[@imightnotmakeit]

the pop up video graphics are PERFECTION!

[@Jamaal.R.]

My favorite film of all time 🥹 Effie gave me so much hope as a kid. I hope this film never gets a remake. It’s true cinematic perfection 👏🏾

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

It's already been remade twice.

[@mochalily3735]

I think you went a little too easy on Effie 😂😂 she was absolutely a problem and she definitely wasn’t “selfless”. Literally from the first time we see her, she’s the last one to show up for the talent show while Deena was there introducing herself and trying to convince the owner to give them another chance. There’s also a reason she had that reputation for being difficult… she was difficult 😂 she always had a bad attitude, she was arrogant af and didn’t respect anyone’s time or opinion even when they were trying to help her. Personally I don’t think Effie was ever really Deena’s friend. I don’t throw shade at my friends or try to belittle their accomplishments. Effie would throw a whole forest of shade at Deena completely UNPROVOKED. Maybe Deena would’ve had more loyalty to her if she’d treated her better. Deena wasn’t messing with Curtis behind Effie’s back. She was being complimented on her talent for the first time and being treated like she was more than a backup singer for the first time. Her own mother didn’t even believe in her! Is it really that surprising that she was happy and felt flattered by Curtis complimenting her? She wasn’t gonna slap him and say “stop complimenting me! You should only compliment Effie!” 😂Curtis was playing a game with both of them to cause conflict and go after the one he really wanted. If you think about it Deena and Effie are two sides of the same coin. They both had self esteem issues and weak spots that Curtis took advantage of to get what he wanted. Effie was very confident when it came to her voice and talent because she was definitely THAT GIRL, but she struggled with confidence in her outward appearance. Curtis saw that and immediately started love bombing her and gassing her up by saying how attractive she was to him. He did it to make her complacent when she was being difficult. It was her first time getting that kind of attention so of course he had her hooked. He then proceeded to use that same vulnerability against her to tear her down and replace her. Deena was more confident when it came to her outward appearance because all her life she was told how beautiful she was (although it was also a bit of a vulnerability too because she was often complimented on her beauty as if it was the only thing she had going for her), but she really struggled to have confidence in her talent/voice or her ability to be a success. She had people like Effie and her mom telling her that she was basic and couldn’t be a lead singer. She also had Effie insulting her looks and calling her weak. Curtis saw numerous vulnerabilities in Deena so his approach to her was to act like he was the only one who could see her worth, gas up how amazing her voice was to him and eventually made her the lead singer. Both got manipulated and gaslit by Curtis at the same time. If we’re gonna hold Deena accountable for not standing up sooner, we have to hold Effie accountable too because she was perfectly content until she got replaced. We all know that if roles were reversed, she wouldn’t have stood up for Deena.

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

None of them stood up for Effi because they were all getting something they wanted and Deena was no better. And of course she was sleeping with Curtis. You have to be naive to think otherwise. Just because they didn't show it doesn't mean it didn't happen. They got married.

[@NunuBird]

Effie would’ve def spoke up and defend Deena Effie doesn’t look like the girl to just let her friend get dogged out in her face and stay quiet , Effie is definitely one of them friends that’s gonna ride for u

[@MysticalPreshXO]

FACTS

[@princess-nia]

Deena wasn't a bad person nor Lorrell everybody got sick of Effie attitude we all could tell by deena's body language that she wasn't sleeping with curtis at the time like who effie was jealous of deena because deena was getting the most attention because of how beautiful and how angelic her singing voice was.

[@NunuBird]

@@princess-nia Deena was definitely a bad friend I don’t know about being a af person but she was not innocent , she slept with her friends man , took her spot ( not on purpose so ) , then playing all innocent when Effie confronted them about it , now for lorrelle she probably didn’t know what was going on with Deena and Curtis that’s why she was always silent but if she did know then she is fake .

[@thevirtualmixtape]

I saw a small glimpse of what really goes on behind the scenes of the music industry in this movie.

[@slinkbradshaw8674]

My mom and I used to play the Soundtrack in the car literally everywhere we went lol...this movie is so nostalgic

[@aubreebaker9282]

I remember being 5 or 6 years old watching this and even now it still holds up. One thing i will say is this everyone used Jimmy and Effie for everything they had. I will say one thing that always irked my nerve was Lorel being upset at Jimmy's wife for not allowing her to see Jimmy. I understand she loved him and he got to Lorel when she was young. I just didn't like that she was upset about the WIFE not allowing the mistress to the funeral. Especially after he tried to sing to them both.

[@PrettyPrincess9609]

Hearing Jennifer Hudson’s version And I am telling you makes me cry now that I can relate. Everyone did Effie dirty in this movie.

[@sammSTAR716]

This is still one of my favorite movie musicals. Also, disco version of One Night Only eats. I’m sorry. Effie’s version was beautiful. But the disco version left ZERO crumbs 🤷🏽

[@reebrezzy2459]

Memphis native here and I can definitely confirm that we most definitely indeed gives no damn about that man 😅😅...

[@forthenostalgia]

Period 😂

[@kaywhitley3883]

Growing up I truly believed Curtis loved Effie. I just thought he loved money and success more and Dena aligned with that. She definitely deserved better

[@justheropinion1758]

The “No Personality” comment got me laughing😅😅😅😅

[@MissGNX]

Exactly I laughed because it’s true. BeYAWNce has no personality she’s all smoke & mirrors

[@raniyadebreon]

This is one of my favorite movies

[@bongileaugust]

13:12 - THANK YOU!!!!! When I rewatched in 2021 and heard that song properly, the way I yelled "GASLIGHTING TACTIC!!!!!" 😭😭😭

[@KKelly-ng1ni]

The same tactic that Berry Gordy used at Motown. He ended up cheating nearly everybody out of their money.

[@raenawilliams3450]

LOVE this movie! The entire cast was a amazing but Jamie Fox was acting his ass off! Like he made you hate Curtis from the moment he stepped on the screen all through his underhanded and manipulative dealings. Like him in steeping to the bad side literally gave me chills!

[@ReggieMosbyJr]

Effie was mean and nasty to everyone BEFORE "I'm not going". She was prideful and arrogant. Idc idc idc.

[@JayNit2]

She was also done dirty by her day ones ..her so called man and her damn brother

[@msbrit5178]

Two things can be true at the same time.

[@demonsprinkler5979]

@@msbrit5178 DEF

[@chaosspy6723]

hormones

[@hana9466]

RIGHT

[@griffinjenn85]

I will always love Dreamgirls! This review was great, thank you!! ❤❤❤

[@nel9074]

I always wished that Marty & Jimmy was able to mend their relationship. I love this movie. 💞 S/N: Sharon leal is an underrated actress , i liked her in this movie and why did i get married & also this Christmas & Addicted . She doesn’t receive enough praise! ❤️

[@jinb6242]

I love this movie. I always get in my feelings in the end though 🥺. Great review as always.

[@forthenostalgia]

Thank you ☺

[@deedeeknows]

"Step into the Bad Side" was a 🔥 scene, song, choreography, arrangement, EVERYTHING!

[@solkaress]

He picked Deena because Curtis noticed how the white men in the crowd was more enamored with Deena than the song Jimmy was singing. Thus, he knew Deena would help with the crossover

[@lemonadeintheshade5808]

I would love to see your take on Hairspray 2007!

[@riritheedon8967]

Effie deserved better and I love Beyoncé but she mad me so upset in this movie 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@syryeiahlott5585]

I absolutely agree that both Effie and Jimmy both deserved justice, because both of them was being manipulated by Curtis, and I also have one more person that I believe deserve justice, too, and it's Marty. Marty and Effie was basically similar to each other, because both of them tried to warn the people that they care about, but both of them was being pushed away by Curtis. Marty tried to warn Jimmy, that something bad would happened to him, if he goes along with Curtis, but Jimmy wouldn't listen to Marty, and decided to get along with Curtis. Marty was trying to keep him straight in line, and not cause any bad behavior when he was there for him, but he felt pushed away. Effie tried to warn Deena and Lorell the same way when they were going to sing background, but they wouldn't listen to her either. She did the right thing for standing up for herself, but she has being manipulated from the beginning to the end. Also, I would say that Curtis really does cares more about Deena than Effie, but at the same time, I don't think that he cares about Deena, either. I never knew any deep details about the film, when I was little, until I became older, and realize what actually happened in the movie. What I realized that Curtis manipulated Deena, too, because I do believe that he cares more about her looks and her appearance, than her singing voice. He was also controlling her, by forcing her into do many things that she does not want to do, like the Cleopatra role. The scene where Curtis wanted her to play as a role as Cleopatra, but she did not want to do it, because Cleopatra is a 16-year-old teenager, and Deena is a fully grown woman, but Curtis told her that no matter how she looks, she will always be the 16 years old Cleopatra in his eyes. I may have lost track, but I think that is either Exhibit C or D. There are a couple of scenes that I started to notice about, and I understand what actually happened. The scene where the girls was singing the Dreamgirls song, and Curtis and Deena's mom talked about Deena, and Curtis said that she has the quality than the singing voice, and her mom noticed it, and she also realized that Curtis was being the manipulator, at almost the end of the movie, when she said that he sees her more as a product than a singer. The record album scene where Curtis described the ice cream sundae desert and told everyone that Deena is all of the ingredients, which explains that she is more important to him than the whole group. The last part that gets me is the dinner scene between Curtis and Deena is when he told her that the reason why he wanted her to be the lead singer, because her singing voice does not have a personality, which I think that what he means that her singing voice was not that good. If he really does care about Deena and her singing voice, he would never tried to control her nor told her that her singing voice does not have a personality. So overall, I would say that Effie, Jimmy and Marty deserve justice.

[@KeeTv2023]

Already thinking about how to monetize her 😂😂😂😂😂 THE WAY I HOLLERED

[@laialuvv]

I literally grew up on Dreamgirls!! effie's version of One Night Only is my fav

[@kayeryan7422]

As a kid, I loved The Dreams version. As an adult, I prefer Effie's more, but I still listen to both.

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome commentary recap of my favorite DreamWorks movie!!!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@angelaabron3080]

This soundtrack was 🔥🔥🔥🔥❤

[@ADyani6]

Also, the song “Heavy Heavy” was wilddd. Like passive aggressive

[@AbsonMusic]

One thing is definitely clear about this movie, they would not have had success as a group if it wasn’t for Curtis. He was a businessman at the end of the day.

[@beoverwait]

This was the true story of Destiny's Child 😂

[@TG5455]

You're spot on with that one. 😆