Dreamgirls Leads Oscar Nominations, Gets Snubbed in Top Categories

The hit film version of the musical Dreamgirls received a major snub in the 79th annual Academy Awards nominations, failing to get nods for either Best Picture or Best Director for Bill Condon. On the plus side, the film did receive a total of eight nominations — the most of any film.

Dreamgirls‘ nominees include Eddie Murphy for Best Supporting Actor for his role as James “Thunder” Early, Jennifer Hudson for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Effie White, and Sharen Davis for Best Costume Design. It also received nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Sound Design.

The film also picked up three of the five Best Song nominations, for “Listen” (music by Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler, lyrics by Anne Preven); “Love You I Do” (music by Krieger, lyrics by Siedah Garrett); and “Patience” (music by Krieger, lyrics by Willie Reale). If past precedent holds, Hudson, Murphy, and co-stars Beyoncé Knowles and Anika Noni Rose will all perform live on the Oscar telecast.

As expected, Helen Mirren received a Best Actress nominee for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen. The film also earned nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for playwright Peter Morgan. Another British film, Notes on a Scandal, picked up nominations for Best Actress for Dame Judi Dench, Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett, and Best Adapted Screenplay for playwright Patrick Marber.

Other theater-oriented nominees of note include Peter O’ Toole, who earned his eighth Oscar nod for Best Actor for Venus; two-time winner Meryl Streep for Best Actress for The Devil Wears Prada; and Alan Arkin for Best Supporting Actor for Little Miss Sunshine, which also earned a Best Picture nomination.

The Academy Awards will be bestowed in Los Angeles on February 25 and broadcast live on ABC. Ellen DeGeneres will host the ceremony.

For a complete list of nominees, visit www.oscars.org.