Murphy Should Have Had The Oscar

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2018)

Dreamgirls (2006)
Plot In A Paragraph: A trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.
Whilst Murphy signed on the dotted line first, I remember Jamie Foxx turned down his role due to Dreamworks refusing to meet his salary and demands. Obviously this was Post his Ray Oscar, and his ego was rumoured to be out of control (See his Miami Vice behaviour) So they started courting Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Terrence Howard. Foxx soon had a change of heart once Beyoncé was cast (after lobbying hard, auditioning and having a screen test) and he signed on at Dreamworks lower salary. Broadway veteran Anika Nona Rose was next onboard and former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson was cast in the main role of Effie (in her first movie) last.
Foxx is OK, but I've never been overly impressed by him. In his first movie in front of the camera for three years, Eddie Murphy is clearly energised by having a meaty supporting role in some good material, instead of a bland leading role in a kids movie. Jennifer Hudson won the Oscar for best supporting Actress, but personally I think she should have been up for Best Actress as she is not only equally a lead, she is the heart and soul of the movie. Whilst Danny Glover gives a solid supporting turn, I was surprised Beyoncé was as bland as she was. Admittedly she is not someone who I have much interest in, but I expected more from someone of her stature/status. Not only does Hudson act her off the screen, she sings her off it too!!
Dreamgirls grossed $103 million at the domestic box office, to end the year the 19th highest grossing movie of 2006. This was Murphy's best performing (non kids movie) movie in 14 years.
Not only did Murphy get the best reviews he had received in years, but after 5 Golden Globe nominations, Murphy finally took home the prize for Best Supporting Actor. He also scored an Oscar nomination. But instead of winning, Norbit happened. I'm in the camp or people who think Norbit cost him the Oscar.
The timing couldn't have been worse. If Academy voters were thinking of rewarding Murphy for his performance here, Norbit came along just in time to change their minds. Whether or not it actually cost Murphy an Oscar can never be known. But there's no doubt it didn't help matters, It was universally despised by critics. And it embodied every criticism people had made about Murphy since The Nutty Professor. And as they were casting their votes, they will have seen the trailers and posters for Norbit everywhere.