Beyonce Knowles, who? If the iconic pop star has never eaten humble pie before, she can certainly take two or three slices to go, as "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson, co-star of the superb silver-screen adaptation of the 1980s hit Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," steals the show.

Hudson brought the house down at Monday night's premiere at the Century SF Centre 9 theater as fans lucky enough to attend cheered her performances throughout the screening. Hudson also appeared after the screening to answer questions from the audience.
While the movie and its cast may attract new and younger fans to see an old Broadway hit, the talk of Oscar wins for Hudson and Knowles is a bit far fetched.

Dreamgirls is the story of the "Dreamettes," an all-black girl group from Detroit, whose rise to fame is troubled by the love triangles, egos, and betrayals between Effie White (Hudson), Deena Jones (Knowles), and Lorell Robinson (Tony award winning actress Anika Noni Rose).

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Curtis Taylor, Jr.), comedic legend Eddie Murphy (James "Thunder" Early) and Bay Area native Danny Glover (Marty Madison) round out the film's cast. Bill Condon, who most recently directed 2004's Kinsey, directed the film, which is scheduled for nationwide release on Christmas day.

Trouble starts when the group has a hard time crossing over to a "whiter" audience because of Effie White's waist size and profoundly over-powering singing voice. White begrudgingly agrees to let Jones, a slimmer and prettier group member, sing lead temporarily.
Eventually, White realizes that the change is not temporary and voices her dissatisfaction to the group and its manager (Foxx), who is also her lover. Her protest leads to her removal from the group and the introduction of a thinner, prettier replacement, which then leads to the film's climactic musical performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Hudson's rendition of the Grammy award winning song is arguably the best in execution since Jennifer Holliday belted the song in more than 1,500 "Dreamgirls" performances. Holliday played the role of White in the Broadway production. The song solidified Hudson as the breakout star of the movie, despite the movie's promotions that bill her as a supporting cast member.

Although Hudson does not have the name recognition of much of the other cast members, her performance sets her ahead of Knowles, who delivers only one memorable number in the film.

If you stripped away both Hudson's and Knowles' musical numbers, the acting alone is not up to par with Academy standards. This is Hudson's very first film and arguably Knowles' first serious acting role in a film. Both actresses did exceptional jobs, as did Foxx and Murphy. But again, Oscar wins for their individual performances are unlikely.

Several film critics predict 2006's "The Queen" to be the front runner for the Oscar nominations that will be announced early next year. Some have even acknowledged that Hudson may receive best supporting actress nomination, as well as the film receiving nominations for best movie, best song and best director.

Nominations will be announced Jan 23. But Hudson can rest assured she has the attention of most audiences who usually forget about "American Idol" finalists shortly after the "Idol" lights fade.