Carr vs. "Dreamgirls"

I doubt if former Paramount Pictures president Gail Berman had anything to do or say about the Dreamgirls Oscar campaign -- Terry Press, Nancy Kirpatrick and Gerry Rich are calling the shots, no? -- so I'm not sure I grasp the linkage that N.Y. Times Oscar columnist David Carr (a.k.a., "the Bagger") wrote about this morning when he wondered "if the slow erosion of Dreamgirls leadership in the race to Oscar has anything to do with [Berman's departure]." But the mere fact that Carr is talking about the Dreamgirls bandwagon losing steam caught my attention nonetheless.

"Dreamgirls had a limited opening and then was expected to explode its way to huge audiences and major awards," he's written. "Some silly bloggers took the bait, and while the movie is doing fine, it's not breaking down the doors. In fact, over the past few weeks, there has been far more talk about the other big D, The Departed, than Dreamgirls.

"Oscars can break careers as well as make them and there continues to be a perception that Ms. Berman and others misplayed a big lead. Others point out that with all-black cast, Broadway-musical DNA and stiff competition from a star-studded cast in The Departed, it was always going to be a dogfight."

Does this mean Carr will be denied entrance to the Dreamgirls Golden Globes party? Does this mean a couple of goons will walk up to him when he steps out of his Los Angeles hotel during his next visit and say, "Hey, buddy, got a match?" and then whoomph and lights out?

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 11, 2007 at 8:17 AM

comment #1

bachelorcool Author Profile Page says ...

I would have thought you'd have got invited to the party if only because your articles are wedged between two big banner-ads for the wretched thing.

Posted by bachelorcool Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 8:59 AM

comment #2

MASON Author Profile Page says ...

Well this should set "silly blogger" David Poland off.

Posted by MASON Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 9:09 AM

comment #3

kmoore Author Profile Page says ...

This is like the second time I have read something about "Dreamgirls" box office, but it has grossed more than "Chicago" at this point in less theaters. Once "Dreamgirls" gets Oscar Noms...It will most definitely go well past 100 million. I am very confused by people questioning its box office prowess.

It's a crowd pleaser and is very entertaining!!!!

Posted by kmoore Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 9:09 AM

comment #4

bipedalist Author Profile Page says ...

The "silly blogger" is actually Carr himself -- he is poking fun at his own "the eagle has landed" post after seeing Dreamgirls.

Posted by bipedalist Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 9:58 AM

comment #5

MovieBob Author Profile Page says ...

ANYTHING that prevents this drivel from gaining even the fig-leaf of legitimacy provided by an Oscar is fine by me.

Posted by MovieBob Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 10:48 AM

comment #6

ArchiveGuy Author Profile Page says ...

You like analogies?

Cabaret:Chicago as Chicago:Dreamgirls

"Chicago" may have had 1-dimensional characters, but at least they were fun. "Dreamgirls" is largely an emotional void with worse music, worse staging, and worse performances on average. The only thing they have in common (besides Condon) is that they're likely to end up sharing some of the same Oscar wins: Supporting Actress, Costumes, Art Direction, Editing (ugh!). But I don't think Picture will be one of them.

Posted by ArchiveGuy Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 10:50 AM

comment #7

Craig Kennedy Author Profile Page says ...

Wait ArchiveGuy, your analogy confused my tiny little brain. How does Cabaret fit in exactly?
Chicago was fun. Check.
Dreamgirls was an emotional void. Check.
Cabaret was...?

Posted by Craig Kennedy Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 11:53 AM

comment #8

ROTC Author Profile Page says ...

Dreamgirls an emotional void? Says who? I'm not completely aboard the Dreamgirls bandwagon, but, at least for the sake of discussion, we ought to try to keep the strained hyperbole in reserve. I saw a lot of people driven to tears by the showstopping "And I Am Telling You..." showstopper, by Eddie Murphy's fate, and by the finale. And many have also told me that it was the most purely entertaining movie they had seen in years. Again, I'm not saying the film is any kind of flawless gem - personally, the hyperkinetic MTV-style editing nearly drove me nuts - but some of the film's most vocal, rabid haters need to get a reality tuneup.

Posted by ROTC Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 12:35 PM

comment #9

insidah Author Profile Page says ...

Hate to say it, but I didn't care for Dreamgirls. The characters weren't likable. The plot was seriously lacking. And the music? I'd never heard the score before but only Hudson's number did much for me - although I couldn't understand why she was singing it to Foxx's character - I wasn't convinced she had that strong a bond with him...oh well! When I saw Chicago, I knew nothing about the music, etc, and loved it instantly. I can't imagine this movie being considered one of the five best of the year...I'd put Little Miss Sunshine, United 93, Children of Men, Notes on a Scandal, even Bobby ahead of this thing.

Posted by insidah Author Profile Page at January 11, 2007 9:43 PM

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