DREAMGIRLS I

First posted: February 3, 2007

I find the way movie promoters decide what role to list as "leading actor" very interesting. In Dreamgirls, Beyonce Knowles is listed as leading actress and Jennifer Hudson as "supporting." Yet by any criteria of storytelling, the story belongs to Jennifer Hudson's character, Effie White. Beyonce's Deena Jones does not propel the plot. She is acted upon for most of the story. She does not push herself into Effie's place, Jamie Foxx's character, Curtis, does that. She does not kick Effie out, Curtis does that. She does not steal Effie's song, Curtis does that. In fact, Curtis does most of the moving and shaking in the story; he is the antagonist. He is thrower up of obstacles to Effie's path to success. Ultimately, Effie triumphs over all the obstacles. Hers is the classic hero's journey.

But Effie isn't the star of Dreamgirls.

Beyonce is the star of the singing group, the Dreams. In real life, she has fame and looks. The studio chooses also to list her as the lead actress. She isn't. But who other than a few million American Idol views had ever heard of Jennifer Hudson. And the American Idol viewers didn't like her even enough to keep her on the show. So Beyonce is the "star" of Dreamgirls.

Of course, Jennifer Hudson wouldn't be getting the nominations, let alone the awards, as the leading actress. She would still deserve them, but she wouldn't get them. There are too many better known, well-liked, more experienced actresses in the race this year and every year. But let's face it. Jennifer Hudson is the lead.