--- title: "Dreamgirls: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/dreamgirls/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/dreamgirls" critics_score: 57 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Dreamgirls (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 57 from 11 reviews: 3 positive, 4 mixed, 4 negative. The reviews split almost evenly, with as many critics dismissing Dreamgirls as recommending it, but on one point they are nearly unanimous: Jennifer Hudson. Her performance, especially her singing of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, is singled out in review after review, including by critics who like little else. Several also credit the film’s energy, its glamour and its casting, and Eddie Murphy’s turn earns a mention from Total Film. Beyond Hudson the spread is wide. Empire and The New Yorker find an exhilarating, emotionally powerful musical that also has something to say about the price of success. The Guardian and Slant Magazine argue the songs are the weak link, undistinguished and unable to lift the production, and IndieWire goes further, calling it boring and poorly written. The measured reservations concern structure: a divided focus, formulaic numbers, and too much attention on its two lead singers at the expense of the rest. ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2007. The critic finds the film an accomplished, emotionally powerful musical with a compelling story. Jennifer Hudson’s performance and the film’s cinematic staging are particular standouts. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/dreamgirls-review/) ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 December 2006. Denby praises Dreamgirls as an exhilarating, successful movie musical that also examines the costs of commercial success. He singles out Jennifer Hudson’s intense performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/12/25/best-and-brightest) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 2 February 2007. The review calls Dreamgirls an old-school crowd-pleaser, though its divided focus and piecemeal structure keep it from reaching the heights of the best screen musicals. It praises Eddie Murphy’s performance and singles out Jennifer Hudson’s singing, especially “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,” as the film’s most memorable moment. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/dreamgirls-review/) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 1 December 2006. The page identifies this as a review, but the review text is unavailable. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined from the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/dreamgirls/4029803.article) ## Time Out Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2007. The available page identifies this as a film review, but its verdict is not accessible. No specific praise or complaint can be reliably extracted from the supplied page text. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/dreamgirls) ## Radio Times — Sue Robinson Rating 3/5. The review says the film delivers the expected glamour and glitz. It singles out Jennifer Hudson’s performance as especially strong. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-cesuq4/dreamgirls/) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Rating 1.5/4. 7 December 2006. Gonzalez finds the film hollow, emotionally inert, and weakened by clichés and undistinguished songs. He singles out “One Night Only” as a bright spot and Jennifer Hudson’s vocal talent as unmistakable. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/dreamgirls/) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2007. Mackie finds the film energetic and well cast but ultimately let down by its music. He praises Jennifer Hudson’s performance while criticizing the songs for failing to lift the production. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/may/25/dvdreviews.musicals) ## IndieWire — cnw Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2006. The critic finds Dreamgirls boring and poorly written, arguing that its hype exceeds its merits. Jennifer Hudson’s performance, especially her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/news/general/youre-gonna-love-me-225191/) ## The Skinny — Paul Greenwood Rating ★★★. 10 February 2007. Greenwood finds the film solidly told but somewhat familiar, with enjoyment depending on tolerance for its many songs. He singles out Jennifer Hudson’s singing and acting as what holds it together. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/dreamgirls) ## Eye for Film — Chris Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2007. The critic finds Dreamgirls entertaining but ultimately lacking the depth and originality needed for greatness. They praise Jennifer Hudson’s acting and singing, while faulting the film for formulaic musical sequences and overemphasising its two lead singers. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/dreamgirls-film-review-by-chris) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/dreamgirls.md