By now, every person with even a passing interest in pop culture knows former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson (left) has won almost universal critical raves for her role as Effie in the current Oscar-contender, Dreamgirls. So deafening has the buzz about Hudson been, in fact, that there’s been little discussion of whether or not her fellow Golden Globe nominee, chart-topping superstar Beyoncé Knowles (right), succeeds in her portrayal of Effie’s rival, Deena. I decided to scour recent newspaper reviews of the hit musical with only one question in mind: Can Beyoncé act? Here’s what the critics had to say:Jack Matthews, New York Daily News: “Knowles has her own show-stopper — a new, last-act Henry Krieger song called ‘Listen’ — and it is pretty much guaranteed to get the movie audience on its feet.”A.O. Scott, New York Times: “[The film] springs to life…when Ms. Hudson lays claim to ‘And I Am Telling You,’ and when Ms. Knowles, late in the movie, lets loose in a recording booth on ‘Listen,’ one of a handful of new songs written for the film. Until that point her character, Deena, has been something of an enigma and, for Curtis, the passive vessel of his ambitions. Ms. Knowles’s performance has been static and detached. In her limited work in movies she has never seemed comfortable with acting, shying away from any emotional display that might compromise her steely, hieratic dignity. But when she sings, she is capable of warmth, vulnerability, even ferocity, all of which she demonstrates in ‘Listen.’”Lou Lumenick, New York Post: “Beyoncé isn’t much more than adequate in the thinly written character of Deena, who is required to do little but look wide-eyed and sexy. A subplot about Curtis’s plans to star her in a Cleopatra movie is positively deadly. Deena does get a new number – ‘Listen’ – and it’s Beyoncé’s big moment, even if she ends up breaking character to deliver it.”Claudia Puig, USA Today: “The weakest link is the stunning Knowles. The camera clearly loves her, and her singing is not in contention, but as an actress, she has a vapid quality. Despite the array of dazzling fashion ensembles, and the effort to channel Diana Ross, her performance remains one-note, particularly in contrast to Hudson’s nuanced portrayal.”
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: “The beautiful Knowles (who looks smashing in massive ’60s hair and glitter kitsch) is a better actress when she’s singing; her Deena lacks nuance in the dialogue scenes, but comes to life when the music plays. She’s a standout in ‘Listen,’ a ballad (newly written for the film) aimed at her complex feelings toward the manager, Curtis, who sees her as a commodity. Belting out the lyric ‘I found the voice you think you gave to me,’ she’s become a small tower of strength.”William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer: “The movie is a showcase for Golden Globe nominees Knowles, who deftly makes the transition from timid backup-singer to spoiled diva.”Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: “There is also Knowles, who barely gets by on her limited acting skills, but is given her own showstopping number, ‘Listen,’ which was not part of the stage version but gives the pop singer her own indelible moment in a movie in which she otherwise tends to fade into the background.”Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: “Knowles is surely the loveliest creature in the movies, Jessica Rabbit come to life. And while she mesmerizes while singing ‘Listen,’ her declaration of independence from Curtis (‘I followed the voice you gave me, but now I gotta find my own’), only in this sequence is she anything more than decorative. Someone, please sit her down with a stack of Judy Garland DVDs and show her that acting is just like singing, you have to feel the words.”James Verniere, Boston Herald: “Knowles is not upstaged entirely by Hudson and has her own spotlight moment belting out the tune ‘Listen.’”Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: “Knowles isn’t an embarrassment. She even happens to be a more imaginative singer than Hudson. If she can’t out-belt her costar, she slyly out-interprets her in their argumentative duets. But mostly she’s a sweet nonentity. Her performance as a criminally aggrieved girlfriend in her recent ‘Ring the Alarm’ video was more convincing.”
Reviewing the Reviews: 'Dreamgirls'
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Comments (1-30) of 87 Add your comment
Jennifer Hudson is this movie – Beyonce was just an embarassment, best actress my a$$
Honey, you put too much credence on what the Hollywood Foreign Press chooses as the best of the best. When they’re right, they’re right but when they’re wrong, they’re very wrong. Beyonce’s nomination is a clear brown nose moment.
Beyonce deserves a Razzie for that performance, not a Golden Globe nomination.
The Deena character in the movie is not played by an actress but by a singer. The Deena character in the play was played by a singer-actress (Sheryl Ralph), and therein lies the difference. But the part in the movie was not written to highlight any strengths, but as I remember in the play, Deena was a much stronger character and more ambitious. (someone correct me)
I think Beyonce was serviceable, and if she’s smart she will stick with comedies and musicals. But the main point is being missed – Beyonce, as well as the others in this movie have reached another audience; clearly for Beyonce a crossover audience. For Eddie Murphy, it’s the “gee I didn’t know he could sing & dance” audience. Big surprises all around.
The whole point — at least on stage — was that Deena was promoted to lead singer even though she lacked the powerful voice of Effie. By giving Deena that final song, it completely undermines the premise of the show, and it was jarringly clear that it was added for no other reason than to give Beyonce a song. Probably the only way she would accept the role. Leave it to Hollywood…
I have to agree.. I watched this movie with anticipation but was felt let down.. Beyonce is not a very good actress and the addition of “Listen” to the soundtrack was an obvious attempt to detract from Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “and I’m telling you”.
The movie was ok.. I don’t think it’s Oscar worthy, Chicago did a better job at making you believe the actors were actually singing on camera not just lip synching like in this movie. I don’t think Jennifer Hudson deserves an Oscar yet, when she was not singing her acting was kind of wooden. I will give it up for Eddie Murhpy and Jamie Foxx though.. they were great in this movie.
Why is beyonce being criticized for playing the character she was given, exactly as written. Deena in the script is an empty vessel, someone so passive she can be easily manipulate.
As far as Jennifer is concerned, I loved her, clearly did what was called for in the role but I didn’t see any “depths of character” – all she was called to do was go from angry to indignant to angrier, that’s like acting the whole gamut of emotions from A to B.
I’m not saying she was bad, all I’m saying is that the hype/praise of one and the criticism of the other are truly out of proportion.
I thought they all were very good. Having seen DREAMGIRLS on the stage more time then I care to count (including my first time in 1983 when Miss Holliday was brilliant as ever)– I thought Beyonce did a very good job. She was not supposed to be this brilliant character. She only gets a back bone when she realizes she has been played as a puppett.
Who cares whether she can act? SHe is absolutely breathtaking to look at (and i’m a straight girl!). What I want to know is: why isn’t Danny Glover getting more acclaim for his quiet and powerful performance? And why isn’t everyone talking about what a stiff performance Jamie Foxx (who’s normally quite good, i think) gave in this movie?
Beyonce was not an embarrassment. It just amazes me that people call her out for being low key, when that is clearly what is called for in the character. Deena is the anti-Effie, and Beyonce plays the part perfectly. Is she Meryl Streep? NO! I think the negativity is coming from the years of Beyonce overexposure. People want her to fail. So, they have latched on to a perceived lack of strength in a weak character.
Saying that, I fault Bill Condon with the staging of “Listen.” While I think the song is a great addition, and it shows the progression of the character of Deena (though it does get to be a bit of a Tina Turner moment). The fact that she would be singing it in a recording session with Curtis is just asinine. He never would have allowed her to record a song like that.
Finally saw the movie. I was very impressed with Jennifer Hudson – not so with Beyonce at all. It was like she was doing an impression of herself doing a Diana Ross impression. I know the movie is based on her, but still, but a little imagination into it. Did anyone else think the resemblance of Destiny’s Child and Dreamgirls was ironic (replacing members, etc)?
When Beyonce’s song “Listen” came on, I felt that it was a little forced. After doing some research I found out the song was written for the movie, or really for Beyonce.
“Listen” was all right but that song clearly (I can’t say it anymore CLEARER)was meant so that Bouncy wouldn’t get upstaged. That’s where I lost all respect for her as an actress.
Also, as I was watching the movie, I couldn’t help but wonder how much Beyonce related to the issue of becoming solo, as he character did.
WHERE ARE THE GIRLS FROM DESTINY’S CHILD NOW?!
Forget the girls, the saving grace for me was the brillant performances by Eddie & Jamie!
As a non-Beyonce fan, the key for her will be if she ever attempts a movie WHEN SHE DOESN’T SING! Then you can judge if she can act.
Beyonce is the worst in this film. Anyone could have done that part. She was a BIG let down!!!!
Joe C…Her film debut was “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” She didn’t sing in that one. She wasn’t very good either.
Obviously Beyonce is no first class actress and doesnt get to show a very fully developed character. But, that is how the script was written. Deena is not a fully developed well rounded chracter in the SCRIPT. I am not sure what people were expecting to come from what was written there?
Deena is obviously not as overbearing a character as Effie that point was made clear when Effie is replaced as lead in the group. Deena as the character is weak enough the entire movie to be manipulated and molded into a pop star. Yes she can sing, yes its not as gospel and maybe not as soulful as J Hudson’s Effie but that is what the part called for.
I think Beyonce did exactly what the script called for and I was not taken out of the movie at all by her performance it fit right in with the rest of the great performances. Whether or not it was Best actress worthy? Perhaps not just for the simple fact there was not much in the script for that character to work with.
Having heard all the criticism of Beyonce before I saw Dreamgirls this weekend, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by her performance. She’s not in the same league as Jennifer Hudson but it wasnt embarassing. Whether she’s “acting” or not, she plays a slightly naive, cipher well. That’s what Deena Jones is.
That said, I think the concoction of Deena Jones being without malice makes her a less than compelling character. Beyonce might have had something to grab onto if Deena had some bite and some complicity in her power grab. Clearly Curtis is in charge but would he have done it all alone? Maybe Berry Gordy Jr. did rule the lives of his performers but didnt the ones that benefitted want it too?
I have to agree with those who say — the CHARACTER of Deena is poorly written. Meryl Streep herself could not have done much more with it. Beyonce was perfectly fine in the role.
Her “Listen” performance was great, but it was completely Beyonce, not Deena. I get that she was belting in response to Curtis’ “your voice has no personality” putdown, but it came out of nowhere. All of a sudden she can sing like that? Mmhm.
Overall, the movie was decent, though entire overrated. Jennifer Hudson’s publicist needs his/her OWN Oscar, because while she was good, there was certainly nothing award-worthy about it.
Everyone of these critics say her big showstopper is “Listen.” I can’t stand the song nor her performance as an actress. All she is for the movie studio is $$$$. She attracts fans of her music and looks. I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would want her in a movie besides the aforementioned reasons. Beyonce needs to embark on new musical endeavors for her albums, not the big screen. She’s proven that she can not act.
I was wondering how that new song got there, and concerned about how it wrestles the movie away from Jennifer for no other reason than to meet the needs – not of the show or the character – but of Beyonce’s image.
I am fascinated by Beyonce’s career machine, and the full-press, impossibly slick-yet-down-home image concocted for her. It’s one of the most tightly controlled images I’ve seen recently, and it actually feels like there’s an old Hollywood machine of agents, publicists, and studio heads behind all that creamy goddess-ness.
But the problem is that trying to be an actress today requires a different set of skills than the old Hollywood did. Having songs written and shows changed to fit one’s talents or shortcomings or image requirements – well, it’s outre in a not deliciously retro way, but in a sad way.
And it exposes her fame army’s PR machinations and the fame machinery for what they are. I’m trying to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain of Beyonce’s carefully crafted image, but his shiny bald head keeps glinting in the glare of the flash bulbs.
I think the saddest thing is that Beyonce is deliciously talented and wonderful to watch. Her PR machine just needs to step back and refocus its priorities before they more egregiously hoist themselves – and her ability to be taken seriously – on their own petard.
I’m not even going to read these comments because I am SO sick of Beyonce hate.
Let me just say this….Beyonce was pretty decent. I’m not going to give her an award or anything, but I enjoyed her throughout. I think if there was any part of it that went wrong it was that her character was poorly written and not fleshed out at all. There isn’t that much you can do with it. I thought she made great strides as an actress, and I can only see her improving. anyone who says she deserves a razzie is way off base.
also I’m very tired of the jennifer hudson media explosion. yes, she’s great in the role, but I am sick of everyone acting like she alone makes the movie. what about anika, keith robinson and EDDIE MURPHY? its not a one woman show, and I think its an insult to all the other actors.
also, having cracked and read the comments (Oh my heart!), I have to say that while many of you are faulting adding “listen”, I was having a hard time figuring out how the musical functioned without it. Did they just leave Deena hanging? She would have had no turning point. She would have been even less developed and then all the Beyonce haters would have had even more to complain about. Beyonce could have put in a Lady Sings the Blues sized performance and half of you would still complain.
also, am I the only one who found it off putting that they were acting like Beyonce couldn’t sing. Diana Ross in real life was capable but wasn’t going to be on anyone’s list of great singers. Beyonce however, has an incredible voice. And this is not J-Hud jealousy speaking, but in real life, I prefer Beyonce’s voice to JHuds. While Jennifer’s voice is quite excellent, its generic in its loudness. Beyonce’s voice has character and something distinguishing and she’s getting better and better. J Hud’s loudness masks the fact that its a little boring. Maybe I got the movie wrong, because when Deena gets to sing lead I was like “YES!”
I’m not a fan of Beyonce or Jennifer. Period.
Since when did Bob Mackie raid the late actor Divine’s wardrobe? The costumes seem a bit overdone.
The character of Deena was always poorly written, but at the same time Beyonce is a bit plastic. She was cutesie in Goldmember, but if Knowles wants to act, she needs to be tested out in a serious dramatic role. There are some Rap/R&B artists that are just better actors than they are at what they did first, case in point: Queen Latifah and Will Smith. If Smith does not get the Oscar for best actor for “Pursuit” it’s going to be a serious crime.
Rob, Beyonce did sing in Goldmember. Using the V.W. bug time machine, Austin returns to the early Seventies where he winds up at a discotheque owned by Dutch villian, Goldmember. Foxy Cleopatra and her back-up singers are on stage performing at the time Austin walks in to the club.
“Saying that, I fault Bill Condon with the staging of “Listen.” While I think the song is a great addition, and it shows the progression of the character of Deena (though it does get to be a bit of a Tina Turner moment). The fact that she would be singing it in a recording session with Curtis is just asinine.”
I totally agree. That part of the movie was a little un-settling for me. I expected the song to be sung over a montage of events that were happening, instead we cut to the recording studio.
And I also agree with Danny Glover’s performance being totally overlooked in all the reviews. He played an old time agent and manager and he did very very well.
it’s just plain SILLY that beyonce is nominated for best actress.
that is clearly political, and her father must have paid someone a LOT of money for that to happen. the idea of beyonce running against annette bening, toni collette, and MERYL STREEP is beyond ridiculous.
I’m so sick of Beyonce. EW, please stop featuring her in everything you do.
Even after seeing an early screening where applause for “Listen” was met with thundering applause, I don’t think Beyonce should be up for Best Actress. You can blame the script all you want, but a great actress can take a thin script and work magic on it – The Devil Wears Prada is a pretty basic script, too, and Meryl Streep added so many layers to it that you’d never notice how generic the script is. I am a Beyonce fan, but I don’t think she rose enough to the occasion to be a contender.
As for Jennifer Hudson, I can understand the reason why people are very supportive for her – she has a back story people want to rally behind – and yes, she delivers a powerhouse performance, even if at times she is somewhat wooden (inexperience showing through) and occasionally NOT on point with her lip sync. I think she deserves a nod, yes. I won’t be surprised if she wins, but I don’t think her performance outdoes any number of supporting actresses – Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, etc.
And yes, Chicago was better. By far.