"Dreamgirls" Mania Increasing

"Dreamgirls" opens in limited release on December 15, but this weekend it seems like everyone wants to start talking about it. The LA Times picks "Dreamgirls" as one of the few locks for the Best Picture slot. Jack Mathews at the NY Daily News agrees wholeheartedly. But the NY Post -- typically -- wants to see a controversy both by saying Beyonce is freaked out over being overshadowed by Jennifer Hudson as Effie and that it's a travesty that Hudson is being pushed for Best Supporting Actress instead of the lead. Both ideas are wrong. Beyonce has by far her best role at the movies in "Dreamgirls" (her scene when she becomes the lead singer is nicely subtle). And of course the entire POINT of the musical is that her character is overshadowed in talent by Effie. Of course the movie reflects that. More importantly, Beyonce won't get a Best Actress nod (it's a very crowded field this year) while Hudson will not only get nominated but is likely to win in the Best Supporting Actress category. If she was in Best Actress, she'd lose to Meryl Streep or Helen Mirren. Beyonce, on the other hand, will get to perform "Listen" at the Oscars and she'll shine doing it. Finally, the Hollywood Reporter likes the movie but doesn't think it's an out-and-out success, while Variety most certainly does, raving about the film and saying Hudson is the most explosive talent since Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" or Bette Midler in "The Rose."