'Dreamgirls' is a dream come true — a perfect film
Technically, we journos aren't permitted to review the film yet, so I won't go into much detail, but it would be negligent not to report on what happened tonight at the first media screening of "Dreamgirls" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Beverly Hills.
Bill Condon and crew blasted the roof off the joint. We now, officially, have a best picture frontrunner and one that's going to be tough to beat.
I eavesdropped on lots of conversations out in the lobby afterward and everybody was raving, gushing, shaking, cheering. Clearly, "Dreamgirls" is a dream come true as a film production. It transforms a Broadway classic into a movie masterpiece. In fact, it's even better than its stage original. I'm a longtime fan, I'm allowed to say that. The new song additions are transcendental. "I Love You, I Do" is a bouncy delight, but "Listen" is a knockout. While watching "Dreamgirls," just when you think Jennifer Hudson has stolen the whole film from Beyonce the same diva way Beyonce steals the Dreams away from Hudson in the film story, Beyonce rallies with a song that dares to try to upstage "Dreamgirls'" emotional core: Hudson's rip-your-head-off performance of one of the great f-you songs in Broadway lore — "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."
Beyonce comes close, but — naaaaaaaaaw — nothing tops Hudson. She not only owns this movie, she rides it like a rocket to instant superstardom. For months and months "Dreamgirls" fans have been beset with worry, wondering: Can Jennifer really nail "And I Am Telling You"? If she doesn't, the whole show falls apart.
The result is so good that DreamWorks/Paramount now faces a strange problem: Should they bump Hudson up to the lead actress race or keep her in supporting? Frankly, this movie belongs to her. She should be in lead, but let's be realistic. If she goes up against Helen Mirren at the Oscars, she'll get clobbered. However, if only she'll just stay put in supporting, we can declare that race won, wrapped up and ready for the history books. No other divas need apply.
DreamWorks/Paramount has officially decided to keep Hudson in supporting, as it originally reported here at GoldDerby, but soon the Hollywood Foreign Press Association could mess up everything. What if they push her into lead? It could really happen. Members can be very bull-headed about things like that. That race on the comedy/musical side is already pretty tight with Annette Bening ("Running with Scissors"), Mery Streep ("The Devil Wears Prada"), Renee Zellweger ("Miss Potter"), Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine"), Cameron Diaz ("The Holiday") and Dakota Fanning ("Charlotte's Web"). Who's going to get bumped out? Beyonce maybe? To be brutally honest, she's one of the weakest candidates. If the Globes fail to nominate her, the ticked-off diva might not show up at the ceremony, even if she's asked to sing "Listen" as a best-song nominee. That could be catastrophic to the celeb-obsessed Globes.
And what about poor Hudson? If she's pushed into lead, she's going to have to go up against Meryl as the magnificent bitch of "Prada." Come on! Does anyone really have a prayer of beating the devil in that smackdown?
Maybe Hudson does. Just maybe. She's such a breakout star of this awards season that it's possible she could prevail, but, if she did, and did so nominated opposite Beyonce, it would be a repeat of the embarrassment that occurred at the Tonys in 1982. That's where the supporting star who played Hudson's role (Jennifer Holliday) had the nerve to beat Beyonce's counterpart (Sheryl Lee Ralph) for best actress in a musical.
Now, if only the Globes would just play ball with everybody and pretend that Hudson's role is really just supporting, then everything can go according to plan, thank you very much. Hudson can win supporting actress and the Globe voters can feel like they once again ordained a future Oscar champ. This way Beyonce will likely be nominated for best lead actress (voters HAVE to put someone from the show in that lineup), so HFPA will be assured that Beyonce will show up.
But will everybody play ball? DreamWorks/Paramount execs already have their argument mapped out to present to HFPA, claiming that just Beyonce is lead, not Hudson. They've counted up the minutes of each diva's face time. Technically, Beyonce has the most. OK. Maybe so. But in many of those scenes she's in the background while Hudson wows the audience.
Photo: Jennifer Hudson hits just the right notes as she belts out "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," the crowning glory of "Dreamgirls."
(DreamWorks/Paramount)
Tom,
Do they ever let anyone know who finished 2nd, 3rd, and so on for the Oscars? I`d would love to see how close the ballots have been over the years. Thanks
Posted by: Kenny Jones | January 27, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I don't know if Dreamgirls should be awarded best picture -- but to NOT be in the running at all??? Please. I've heard some of the reporters out there say how you can't blame this on racism because there are so many African-American who have been nominated this year, but look at what they were nominated for -- Supporting Roles, etc. etc. -- big deal. This isn't even racism, it's just a mistake. The Academy awards are really starting to lose their credibility. Last year was a joke and then this...It's so obvious that this stuff is rigged to play to the American audience, who still largely cannot accept a movie about gay cowboys and a film with an all-black cast. But this is why the professionals, not the American people, are called on to vote. They are supposed to act as professionals and they did not...
Posted by: Melissa Miller | January 23, 2007 at 07:04 AM
I am a fan of Beyonce and her music career - but the Golden Globe officiators are absolutely WRONG in giving her the "Best Actress" nomination, when she was, without a doubt, the "Supporting Actress". She had half the lines Jennifer Hudson had and did NOT have the entire meaning of the film centered around her character - Effie did! And Jennifer Hudson's performance completely dwarfed Beyonce's. Dreamgirls was about the unfairness of the entertainment industry - choosing beauty and popularity over TRUE TALENT and PASSION. Once again, with this Golden Globe nomination, we see how life imitates art. It is a shame. I think Beyonce is talented - but there should be a petition protesting this unfair nomination. Jennifer Hudson was the star!
Posted by: Jessyka | January 13, 2007 at 09:13 PM
I heard Beyonce wasn't even gonna be nominated until her and her dad negiogated some thing with the producers....and i believe this rumor..because before when they showed the list of nomination..beyonce was no where to be found...and now all of the sudden she is nominated? something weird huh?
Posted by: Crystal | December 18, 2006 at 03:39 PM
I loved Jennifer Hudson on Idol, and after she got "the boot" , I stopped voting until this last year , at the very end.
Hudson has an amazing gift, and everyone in Idol was worried about her talent overshadowing them. Looks like she will have the last laugh. Everyone loves her performance in the film, and all of the cast seems perfectly matched for their roles. I haven't seen the movie yet ( I can't wait! ), but I've seen and heard enough to know that I will be impressed, IF I can get a seat.
I've heard the soundtrack, which is awesome, but am a little sad that "When I first saw you"
the first version, is no longer a "conversation duet" with Deena and Curtis. It is one of the most beautiful songs in the original.
Posted by: Greg | December 13, 2006 at 04:11 PM
If Meryl Streep wins Best Actress for that piece of crap Devil Wears Prada movie, I'm gonna scream. I love Meryl more than anyone, but that just wasn't a good movie and she was supporting at best. What the hell is wrong with everyone!?
Go back and look at the old performances and tell me that Devil is one of her best!
We have seriously lowered standards!!!
I would be embarrassed for her to win for that movie.
Hudson will win supporting.
Helen Mirren will win Best Actress.
Posted by: michelle | November 19, 2006 at 10:29 AM
I'm sorry but Beyonce needs to take non singing roles before she is seriously considered an actress
Posted by: Me | November 18, 2006 at 04:45 AM
Eddie and Jamie were both very good, but the film belongs to the ladies -- and the production designer. Some scenes look like they were taking place on another planet. And in a way they were. The is an all-caps Show Biz saga, with all tech credits pro, and a director who really knows how to keep things moving at a breakneck pace. Consequently "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" is a show-stopper deluxe not just because of Jennifer Hudson (who is truly amazing) but because Bill has staged the number so expertly. A perfect Christmas movie ti's going to make mint. Considering ticket prices these days its dollar value is top of the line.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | November 17, 2006 at 10:06 PM
Beyonce can look forward to the TRL Awards, BET Awards, The Black Movie Awards (yes they have this award show!), People's Choice Awards, and last but not least the MTV Movie Awards. Perhaps she can win Best Kiss (with herself!) Oooooosh! Even I felt the sting of that remark!
Posted by: Cookie Crumbles | November 17, 2006 at 08:59 PM
Hey, I loved Jennifer Hudson on American Idol. It was probably the only full season I watched and she was robbed... her version of "Imagine" KILLED and I knew there was a superstar in the making as soon as I heard it.
Posted by: EDouglas | November 17, 2006 at 04:24 AM
THE WHOLE CAST OF DREAMGIRLS WILL BE ON OPRAH MONDAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPRAH GETS BEHIND A FILM THAT SHE REALLY, REALLY LOVES?
IT GETS NOMINATED FOR BEST PIC AND IT CAN SOMETIMES WIN (I.E. CRASH, THE HOURS)
Posted by: Mike. B. | November 16, 2006 at 07:09 PM
What about Eddie Murphey? Was he good?
Posted by: sam coffey | November 16, 2006 at 05:06 PM
I really hope that Jennifer Hudson's fate will be same as Catherine Zeta's but the different is Jennifer would become the winner for lead actrees in Musical/Comedy in Globes but then stay to supporting actress race for the oscars...Same goes to a surprise Benicio del Toro's win at the screen actor's for lead actor then pushed back to supporting actor and won the oscars...congratulations to Jennifer Hudson...she is such a humble person and this is sure her payback time! Tom, can u do me a favour? i would like to go to oscars all the way frm Malaysia just to see if Jennifer would win! hehe
Posted by: Kuala Lumpur, Jennifer Hudson's Malaysian Fan | November 16, 2006 at 05:06 PM
i think it's marvelous that oscar appears to be expanding outward and considering films in other genres besides "drama" for big awards. LOTR, CHICAGO...more comedy wins would be nice; perhaps adventure and sci-fi could see the doors opened for them, besides the technical awards. It appears to be a tough thing for an actor in a comedy to win best actor. comedy is hard to do well.Before Chicago, i dont remember a musical winning since OLIVER and...the one with Joel Grey and Liza M....and of course, THE SOUND OF MUSIC...my point is, that other genres appear to begin with a disadvantage when it comes to winning the big prize. As for the Golden Globes, they appear to be gaining more and more credibility. People arent stupid; the more that award shows are like Olympic figure skating or boxing, the fewer viewers they're going to have.
As for Beyonce; i dont have the heart to criticize her. She'll surivive whatever happens.
i just want to see the "best man win". and the best picture too, regardless of the genre.
Posted by: teri | November 16, 2006 at 01:40 PM
Why do I doubt the power of this film? I just don't foresee this movie really being some knockout thing. I don't. I don't know why, I have seen the trailer, I'm just not impressed. And even though I love Meryl Streep, I don't think her role in 'Prada' is so incredibly stellar as her other roles have been. I think there's a lot of trumpeting going on of actors and films this fall and it's not going to come out the way it's being painted. And 'Dreamgirls' is I am afraid one of those cases, I think.
Posted by: Michelle | November 16, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Beyonce can try her chance at lead at the GGA but either Annette Bening or Meryl Streep will eventually come up the winner---Beyonce be happy you got nominated period. But as for her chances at Oscar gold fuhgettaboutit...the Best Actress race is too tight with Merrin, Winslet, Cruz, Dench, Streep, Bening, Zellweger,....if Beyonce makes the cut well she can thank daddy for that...if you know what I mean...
Posted by: Frankie R. | November 16, 2006 at 11:10 AM
I saw the screening. It was very good. It was the best film I saw this year. Everyone's performance was on point. Eddie did a great job. At the screening I saw, people laughed at him alot because they were used to comedic Eddie, so they didn't take him that seriously when he was singing. But it was a side of Eddie Murphy that we haven't seen before.
As far as Jennifer and Beyonce, I think they both did great jobs. Jennifer was never on film before and did a great job. Kudos to Bill Condon for giving her the chance. And this is by far Beyonce's best performance ever. She was the young nieve singer in the group at the begining of the film. There was not a trace of the Beyonce we all know. Once Deena grew into her own there were two very Beyonce moments, but for the most part, there was no comparison to Beyonce the lead of Destiny's Child/solo singer that we all know...which is a good thing.
Visually, the film was on par. The movie started with music and didn't seem to stop for about 15 minutes and it set the energy for the rest of the film.
I say congrats to everyone involved. They did a great job.
I didn't like Babel. It liked Catch A Fire as Derek Luke was very very good and so was Tim Robbins. I saw Flags Of Our Fathers. It's fine, but I don't think it's great. I saw Last King Of Scotland. I say give Forrest the Oscar now as well as James McAvoy. Best performances I've seen on screen this year.
Posted by: Richard | November 16, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Jennifer H. should be placed in the Supporting category because she will have a better chance of winning since that is a weaker category this time around. Best Actress is way to crowded this year with too many strong performances and putting her there would be a huge mistake. The movie will get more noms this way. I love this time of year, it is like football season to me. Boy do I love the Oscar race.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 16, 2006 at 09:39 AM
If Ms. Hudson is better (and the lead) actress, why shouldn't she be placed in the lead actress category? Is it because she's not a 'star'?
Posted by: Armando (Caracas, Venezuela) | November 16, 2006 at 09:14 AM
Ok Tom - what gives you any basis to say that Beyonce might not show up if she wasn't nominated for Best Actress? What has she ever done to warrant an attack on her character like that?
Posted by: intensity1234 | November 16, 2006 at 08:58 AM
What about Eddie? Anika? Jamie? How did they do in the film?
Posted by: Bill F | November 16, 2006 at 08:27 AM
I think what people fail to realize that this is how the movie suppose to go. The dreamgirls play was Effie (jennifer Husdon) play. So, stop with all the oh she stole this from Beyonce, no thats how its suppose to be. Hay people!!!its not Beyonce and Jennifer.....it's Deena and Effie. its just acting people.
Posted by: nicole | November 16, 2006 at 07:44 AM
I have never heard nominated songs sung at the GG show so the fear of Beyonce not showing up to sing should be moot.
Posted by: Brian | November 16, 2006 at 05:56 AM
Wasn't Catherine Zeta-Jones nominated in the lead actress in a musical or comedy for "Chicago" at the Globes and then won best supporting actress at the Oscars? I don't think the academy cares much what the globes does. They nominated people who never get an oscar nomination and the oscars nominate people who never get nominated for a globe. Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden comes to mind.
Posted by: D. Johnson | November 16, 2006 at 04:11 AM
Tom, that’s great to read your post. I am so glad “Dreamgirls” will live up to the expectations. Go, Jennifer Hudson!
Posted by: Kamila | November 16, 2006 at 04:06 AM