Dreamgirls "Dazzles" on DVD

After many months of anticipation, Dreamgirls roared into theaters and immediately began living up to the hype. Along the way, the film secured eight Oscar nominations, winning two, and became the fourth largest grossing movie musical of all time. Now, the anticipation returns as the film comes to DVD, featuring a dazzling array of extras and an amazing behind-the-curtain glimpse at the true Dreamgirls experience.

This two-disc DVD features one disc with the film and a second disc that gives viewers unprecedented access from production to the finished product. “Building the Dream,” explains how the process came together. Director Bill Condon talks about his experience after winning an Oscar for Chicago. He was offered every unfilled music script in Hollywood, but his “dream” was to make Dreamgirls. David Geffen owned the rights and never thought it could be made into a film, but Condon convinced him over lunch, and the rest is history.


What attracted him was the unique story arc. According to Condon, most theater productions have thrilling first acts with sad second acts. But “Dreamgirls” gives you a thrilling first act, with Curtis’ rise and Effie’s dream being crushed, and a second act in which their fates are flip-flopped.

The process of casting the actors for the film was equally impressive. After getting the green light to make the production, Condon focused on securing two actors he thought would be perfect: Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Beyoncé Knowles, on the other hand, contacted Condon to lobby for the role. She gave a passionate screen test, featuring period costumes and actors dressed in similar costumes. Anika Noni Rose beat out hundreds of actors, using her strong theater background. The most frustrated of the actors auditioning for the film was Keith Robinson, who endured a process that lasted several months before he got the role. Danny Glover just wanted to be part of the star-studded ensemble.

Condon explained that 90 percent of the energy went into casting Effie. One day the filmmakers auditioned more than 700 potential Effies from throughout the United States. Hudson was called and auditioned several times before she was hired. Upon being eliminated from “American Idol” in 200?, Hudson said, prophetically, “I know there is something in store for me.”

In “Dream Logic: Film Editing,” we learn that the film’s editor went through a million feet of film, including sifting through five hours of film for 2 ½ minutes of footage to create “Steppin’ to the Bad Side.” The filmmakers also concluded that their first cut left too much music in the film. They removed some of it and finally came up with the version that was released in theaters.

In “Dressing the Dreams: Costume Design,” Sharen Davis talks about her design process and how she fashioned Murphy’s look with rock and roll icons Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Elvis Presley and Prince in mind

“Auditions and Screen Tests” give viewers an opportunity to look at footage of Knowles, Rose and Fatima Robinson’s choreography for “Steppin’ to the Bad Side.” Her choreography features several different elements that look good separately and are effective when combined during an energetic and spirited audition.

Viewers also get an opportunity to see the project through the eyes of the filmmakers in “Previsualization Sequences,” in which storyboards were combined with live dancing to see how the scenes translate from drawings to live action. An added treat is also “Storyboards,” which gives the viewer wonderful insights into the visual process that the filmmakers engaged in to create this stunning visual work. If you listen to the soundtrack while going through the storyboards, you can follow along, creating a seamless viewing experience.

The package wouldn’t be complete without spotlighting the exotic period costumes. Davis shows off her work in “Costume Designs,” which displays many of the costumes that made it into the film and some that didn’t. If you were interested in going through the discography of Jimmy Early, The Dreams, Deena Jones and Effie White, check out “Art Department Archive,” where you can see all of the albums from the groups in the film.

If you enjoyed the film in theaters, surely you’ll love the DVD. With so much compressed into one “extras: disc, the filmmakers have given audiences a chance to observe the creative process for this special musical. Great DVDs come from great films, and Dreamgirls offers a great experience for viewers.

This review also appeared on BET.com.