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Cadillac Records
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Editorial Reviews
Description
Cadillac Records chronicles the rise of Leonard Chess' (Adrien Brody) Chess Records and its recording artists including Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Little Walter (Columbus Short), Chuck Berry (Mos Def), Willie Dixon (Cedric The Entertainer) and the great Etta James (Beyonce Knowles). In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in Chicago of the 1950s and 60s, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's greatest musical legends.
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An energized and passionate, if selective, telling of the story of Chess Records, Cadillac Records is a worthy entry in the niche genre of movies about rock and roll roots. Adrien Brody plays Leonard Chess, who started Chess Records in Chicago in 1947 and turned the label into an important force for blues, rhythm and blues, gospel and, in time, early rock and roll. Cadillac Records focuses on Chess' relationship with his first significant artist, Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), and the label's rise and expansion with the addition of such talents as Little Walter (Columbus Short), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Etta James (Beyonce Knowles). Written and directed by Darnell Martin, Cadillac Records captures the scrappy beginnings of an enterprise, and a sound, inventing itself as it goes along. Particularly fun are scenes set in clubs or at Chess' recording facility, where electrified blues never stop pushing the envelope of creative possibility. All the while, danger lurks in shadows or in rivalries between artists; also in the self-destructive streaks of Walter and James, and the sexual fetishes of Berry. But the drama largely centers on the potent connections between all these people, who don't always know where their contribution to a cultural phenomenon is going. One of the film's delights is the way Chess and Waters don't really see rock coming until Berry steps through the door, fusing country music with blues. The film skips over a lot of facts: there's no sign of Leonard Chess' brother, Phil, who co-owned the company, nor is there much hint of Chess' expansion into a lot of other areas of music. None of that is any big deal. But what Cadillac Records is missing is more of a unifying point of view. The story is told as a recollection by Willie Dixon, but in a scattershot way that doesn't tell us who Leonard Chess or Waters really are. Aside from that, the film is well worth seeing. --Tom Keogh
Stills from Cadillac Records (click for larger image)
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Customer Reviews
Roberto J. Joos Said: Great artists that shook the world. ( Sep. 3rd 2010 )
Devoted fans are sometimes a thankless breed and describing the life of a legend is a risky undertaking. This movie includes no less than six musical legends-- and, given the difficulty of the task, the job is surprisingly well done. I'm in my late fifties and, like a lot of people of my generation, have loved and admired these great musicians for a long time, so i'm glad that a movie this good has finally been made. Of course it can't satisfy fans completely! More is needed to put a smile on our faces. Still, the actors are all really good and the music is sensational. A special mention for Beyoncé's performance: she is a stunner in this movie--makes you respect her range as a singer and performer and makes you wish she sang the Blues all the time. You'll come out wanting more.
rosie1 Said: GREAT MUSIC &STORY ( Jul. 29th 2010 )
I HAVE STORED THIS CD WITH MY MANY OTHER THAT HAVE A GREAT STORY AND MUSIC. I HAVE GREATLY ENJOYED WATCHING AND LISTENING TO THIS CD.
berniedou Said: good feeling ( Jul. 13th 2010 )
very good movie with good actors the true story of the bluesmen is not here and credible but it's a very good fiction !
Richard Kenyada Said: Solid Performances in a Taste of R&B History ( Jul. 6th 2010 )
If Jeffrey Wright has ever given a bad performance on film, I have never seen it. He is a master at becoming the character he plays. In the 1950's biopic, Cadillac Records, Wright gives us a Muddy Waters portrayal that is worthy of Academy Award consideration. But his performance is definitely not the only award worthy performance on display here. Relative newcomer, Columbus Short, 26, turned in a stellar performance as blues harmonica man, Little Walter. Earlier he won acclaim for his role in Stomp the Yard. But the biggest surprise for me was the portrayal of Etta James by Beyonce Knowles. The former "Beyonce" is truly deserving of every accolade she is sure to receive for a heart-wrenching performance of a strong, yet self-destructive blues singer. Her acting is superb, and her singing will bring tears to your eyes.
Mos Def is a believable Chuck Berry and, with more to do in this film, could have easily handled it. Eamonn Walker, whom you'll recognize from The Wire, is a haunting Howlin' Wolf. Gabrielle Union is given a meaty role as Muddy Waters's woman, and she shows us a depth of feeling that most actresses worth their salt would die to sink their teeth into. Cedric The Entertainer, playing songwriter Willie Dixon. The Dixon part of the story is vital because it flies in the face of the scenario that white men were the only people who made money from early black music. Tying all of these brilliant performances together is the central character of Leonard Chess, the owner of Chess records, as played by Adrien Brody.
This film far exceeded my expectations in every respect, because it tells an untold story that pulls no punches. It is a human story, complete with genius, flaws and foibles. It is the story of Leonard Chess, Muddy Waters and the birth of the Chicago Blues. It tells the story without losing its entertainment value. It also shows how white artists of the day, ripped off black music. Chuck Berry, for example, sued the Beach Boys for copyright infringement... and won.
I highly recommend this movie to those who want to be connected with the foundation of Rock `n Roll and Blues. 5 Big Stars - one each for Wright, Knowles, Short, Mos Def and Union.
DEE DEE Said: Cadillac Records ( Jun. 9th 2010 )
Everything to buying, reviewing and receiving the DVD was great! I loved to buy my DVD's and music from Amazon. Good Prices.