Paul and Corey Cross the Streams: S8E10 [DREAMGIRLS (2006)]

Let's put on a show! It's season 8 for Paul and Corey Cross the Streams, and this season we're watching musicals. It's a singular art form with a dynamic history, and we get to listen to a lot of cast recordings... This week, Corey continued discussed of Motown, albeit in a legally-deniable way, with Dreamgirls (2006). The film was adapted and directed by Bill Condon from the 1981 Broadway show, which was originally directed by Michael Bennett, with music by Henry Krieger, and book and lyrics by Tom Eyen. The film was a box office smash and critical success, winning Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Sound Mixing. It's a star-studded cast, including Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, and Jennifer Hudson. And yet. Paul and Corey just did not like this adaptation. Corey, who worked bar at the original Broadway show and saw it hundreds of times, discusses the differences between the two versions and especially the power of seeing the show live. They also discuss why the film could have suffered from trying to satisfy its stars and expanding the story too much. And for as much as they don't agree with the common wisdom about Jennifer Hudson's performance, they were deeply impressed by Eddie Murphy and Beyonce's performances. They also discuss the musical's interrogation of respectability politics and art in the context of the early 1960s America, as well as misogynoir, colorism, and fatphobia. It's a far-reaching conversation. Enjoy!