| Overall Grade: |
B- |
|
| Story: |
D+ |
|
|
| Acting: |
B |
|
|
| Direction: |
C- |
|
|
| Visuals: |
B |
|
|
Jennifer Hudson is worth going for
by Joy (movies profile)
Nov 26, 2007
86
of
124 people found this review helpful
I'd seen the trailers and gotten goosebumps. I'd read the early reviews; all glowing, and thought that it wasn't going to be just another typical and formulaic, by the numbers biopic-type historic film. I was very disappointed that this was NOT the case. It wasn't even one of the better ones of this genre.
Here's the good news: Jennifer Hudson is all that she's been hyped to be. I've loved her since American Idol, but I loved Fantasia too and enough so to see that her movie of the week was stinky. Jennifer brings an honesty to Effie throughout the movie that makes you root for her and only her, no matter what a b*tch her character is at times. Her voice makes even the noisiest theatregoers either shut up or cheer, gives chills and emotes what most pop princesses are too gaurded to let shine through. Effie is the lead role, which came as a surprise to me, since she got NO billing and is nominated for supporting actress awards. She is the lead and carries this movie. When she's on screen, I cared about what was going on in the "story" but otherwise, sat and patiently waited for her to come back on.
This is not to say that Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Eddie or any other cast member was bad. The guy that plays her brother is also very likeable and you get the familial tie throughout, dispite any rift. The problems were with the thin characters, literally and figuratively. There was nothing to them. I didn't care what happens, because you've seen it all before on glossy Hollywood screens.
Beyonce was obviously well lit and given all the costume and makeup trailer support a girl could want for a glamour piece. When she finally gets a chance to develop her character, it is a little late to care about her anyhow.
The costumes were all over the board. I fancy myself historically aware. I didn't get my microscope to the screen, however, I did see some shoddy work with a few of Jennifer's costumes, as well as confused lighting on period mood lighting (a shot of 60's white kids dancing soullessly was off and looked very much like a Weezer video: a joke). Jennifer did so much with what little they seemed to give her with billing and lighting/costumes/makeup etc. I get it: She's supposed to be the heavy and unattractive girl. Ok, but can you at least buy and build her costumes that resemble the era her character is supposed to be living in? One sweater she wore could've been bought at TJ Maxx yesterday. Although Beyonce's makeup was a tour de force. They really hit a home run in the 2nd half of the film and showcased some gorgeous work.
Storyline: We've seen it. Nothing new here folks. Move along. People who get a break. People who are down on their luck. People who squander said break and then rectify it after hitting rock bottom and beginning to appreciate what they were given in the first place. Yep, seen it.
Music: I've seen some scathing reviews now of the music and this is one point I'll disagree on. All of Jennifer's songs hit me hard, Beyonce's solo song was tremendous, the group numbers were pleasing and Eddie Murphy's soul romps were up there with James Brown himself (may he rest in peace). I'd buy the soundtrack before the DVD.
Direction: Lots of going around in circles. I was getting dizzy every 15 minutes from this "trick". It's not a music video. We get it, things are spinning out of control or exciting or getting faster paced or all happening at once: the director thinks it works for everything. It doesn't. The lighting is (as mentioned above) weak. There is such a fantastic opportunity to set the mood with textures on the screen that bring us back and this was accomplished only with a couple of extranneous scenes that were supposed to resemble the Jackson 5. Lazy.
How does it get a B- overall? Two words: Jennifer Hudson. Go Jen! I'm rooting for you for Best Actress, eff(ie) that Supporting stuff. |
My Public Profile 
