Will "Dreamgirls" Appeal To Black America?

Yesterday the cast of the upcoming musical movie, "Dreamgirls", appeared on "Oprah", where the talk show diva praised the movie.

Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, and Anika Noni Rose discussed the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which is loosely based on The Supremes and originally featured Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Loretta Devine.

Apparently, the parents of Ms. Knowles are not pleased that Oscar buzz is going toward Jennifer Hudson, an "American Idol" finalist (and my fellow Chicagoan), than to their precious daughter in what was to be her star vehicle. Ms. Hudson reportedly is the one whose vocals and breakthrough acting chops steals scenes in "Dreamgirls".

But I digress. The real question is whether this will be a hit movie.

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-My take is that non-blacks will tend to not flock to see the movie, because they will regard it as a "black" movie. Thus, the movie's success will rest with whether or not it will appeal to Black America. It is a bad idea to release this movie on Christmas Day. Unless it is an action flick viewed as a must-see film, folks are not gonna flock to movie theaters on Christmas Day. Also, look at the movies that appeal to Black America as a collective, and this movie does not fit the bill.

It is not a comedy. It is not a violent movie, such as an action or horror flick. And it appears to not fit into the coonery category of filmwork. Thus, this movie could face an uphill battle. I hope that I am proven wrong and it is a moderate success like "Ray", which earned $75.2 million at the box office. Perhaps it will get a few Oscar nominations for music or best supporting actress nod for Ms. Hudson.