By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
While everyone else seems to be hesitant to call a spade a spade, Smokey Robinson is stepping up to that plate in his critique of the big screen version of 'Dreamgirls.'
The R&B and pop music legend said that the characters in the movie were "very, very, very offensive," during an interview with National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" today.
"I am really kind of upset about it because there's a lot of false information in there, and millions of people are seeing it every day," the acclaimed singer/songwriter said.
Robinson, a Detroit native, rose to international stardom in the late 1950's as the frontman of the chart-topping Motown Records group Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. He was also an executive at the legendary Berry Gordy-founded operation, which would be the first record label to take black music into mainstream pop culture.
The movie, based on the legendary Michael Bennett-helmed Broadway musical, stars Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx in the Gordyesque role of Curtis Taylor, Jr, and multiple Grammy Award winner Beyonce Knowles as the Diana Ross-like Deena Jones in a story that replicates real life accounts of the rise of Motown Records and the creation of Diana Ross & The Supremes.
While the Bill Condon-directed movie was showered with critical praise during its glitzy media campaign, it has only drawn a few celebrity detractors. One, particularly, is Obba Babatunde -- a respected actor who starred in the original production and declined a role in the movie. (See story here.)
Everyone else seems to be in love with the movie, the characters, the storyline -- and of course the music.
Well, not everyone.
When Diane Sawyer asked Ross about the movie --while doing publicity rounds for her new album, 'I Love You'-- on 'Good Morning America' last week, the Academy Award nominated icon brushed off the question by responding, "I haven't seen it... I think I will go see it with my lawyers."
"Nobody was paying us," Robinson mandated, specifically reacting to the storyline of the record company founder being a cold blooded hustler and svengali. "So [Gordy] borrowed $800 from his family's fund and started Motown so that we could be paid ... for him to be maligned and made out like this villainous character is very, very, very offensive to me."
Where's there's Smokey, there may be fire.
Since Motown represents one of the most purest forms of homegrown success for Black America, and is still revered for its legend amongst the power wielding old guard of Hollywood, this may be a blow to the film's ambitious Oscar hopes. While 'Dreamgirls' received the most Academy Award nominations this year -- it failed to garner nods in the five major categories for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress and Best Screen Adaptation.
Did the movie tarnish the Motown's legends' history?
Robinson seems to think so.
"Motown is Beyonce's heritage. Motown is Jamie Foxx's heritage. Motown is Eddie Murphy's heritage. You know what I mean?" Robinson said. "They're young black people. America should be proud of Motown because Motown made a statement all over the world that America could be proud of."
Comments: (381)
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By: Nicole on 1/25/2007 10:35PM
I totally disagree with Smokey Robinson. Dreamgirls didn't tell us anything new about Motown, Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, or anybody else for that matter. Whatever people thought about them before, the movie didn't change that. And think of all the thousands of people who've seen the stage play?
It's a movie. If he felt this way, why didn't he protest while the movie was being made. Why wait to complain after it receives Oscar nominations? People are a trip!!!!
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By: Rico on 1/26/2007 2:59PM
I am a huge Smokey Robinson fan but totally disagree with his comments. I agree with Nicole: It's just a movie and in no way could it tarnish the contributions and benchmarks established by the artist and creators of Motown. Most rational people understand that "a little creative embellishment" is inherent in works based on real events and/or people unless it's showcased as a documentary.
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By: Sheila on 1/26/2007 12:04AM
After reading the article Smokey Robinson "Having a DreamGirls Nightmare," I must say...Way to go Smokey. I won't waste my time or money seeing such an offensive movie...They movie industry should be ashamed of itself for making such an offensive movie.
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By: Oliver on 1/26/2007 12:11AM
I've watch the "DreamGirls movie." I was also upset that the movie presents a lot of false information. Anybody with a knowledge of Motown, realized early on in the movie that "DreamGirls," is a Motown story told with a twist of lime. I liked it but I didn't love it, then I hated it more!!!!!
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By: Jerry on 1/26/2007 7:29AM
It appears that Mr. Robinson is into a denial thing, because there was talk of mob money being involved in Motown back in the day. I enjoyed the movie, to be honest I watched it five times, and each viewing gave me a different perspective on the music industry. As with all things in life there's good and bad, in which we take in equal doses.
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By: d love on 2/01/2007 9:22AM
I saw the movie and was not that impressed as the media hyped this movie up to be so much. The acting was ok. I do not understand the blow up on Eddie Murphy or Beyonce?
(love them both) But let's be for real?
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By: Vernita on 1/26/2007 10:14PM
I have not seen the Movie........but, if it was offense to Smokey....then it'll be offense to me..I trust Smokey's judgement....he's righ MOTOWN IS OUR HERITAGE..we need to stop tearing ourselves DOWN>>>>>>>>if if some of those things did happen......the book has been closed and it's not wise to rehash old things...the past is the past....Black PEOple need to stop doing eveyhting for money and a AWARD....Thnak you Smokey for being honest....YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE U WERE THEIR.......WE WERRE NOT....I WILL NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE...I, TOO TRUST SMOKEY'S JUDGEMENT
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By: Vernita on 1/26/2007 10:13PM
have not seen the Movie........but, if it was offense to Smokey....then it'll be offense to me..I trust Smokey's judgement....he's righ MOTOWN IS OUR HERITAGE..we need to stop tearing ourselves DOWN>>>>>>>>if if some of those things did happen......the book has been closed and it's not wise to rehash old things...the past is the past....Black PEOple need to stop doing eveyhting for money and a AWARD....Thnak you Smokey for being honest....YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE U WERE THEIR.......WE WERRE NOT....I WILL NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE...I, TOO TRUST SMOKEY'S JUDGEMENT
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By: Vernita on 1/26/2007 10:12PM
have not seen the Movie........but, if it was offense to Smokey....then it'll be offense to me..I trust Smokey's judgement....he's righ MOTOWN IS OUR HERITAGE..we need to stop tearing ourselves DOWN>>>>>>>>if if some of those things did happen......the book has been closed and it's not wise to rehash old things...the past is the past....Black PEOple need to stop doing eveyhting for money and a AWARD....Thnak you Smokey for being honest....YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE U WERE THEIR.......WE WERRE NOT....I WILL NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE...I, TOO TRUST SMOKEY'S JUDGEMENT
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By: Vernita on 1/26/2007 10:12PM
have not seen the Movie........but, if it was offense to Smokey....then it'll be offense to me..I trust Smokey's judgement....he's righ MOTOWN IS OUR HERITAGE..we need to stop tearing ourselves DOWN>>>>>>>>if if some of those things did happen......the book has been closed and it's not wise to rehash old things...the past is the past....Black PEOple need to stop doing eveyhting for money and a AWARD....Thnak you Smokey for being honest....YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE U WERE THEIR.......WE WERRE NOT....I WILL NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE...I, TOO TRUST SMOKEY'S JUDGEMENT
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