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From Amazon.co.uk
An energised 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 centres 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
Product Description
The tale of Chess records, home to some of the greatest rhythm 'n' blues artists the US ever produced, gets the Hollywood treatment in this biopic from director Darnell Martin. Following the story from 1947, when Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) opened up his small studio on the south side of Chicago, to the late 1960s, when changing tastes forced him to retire from the business, the film tells of the highs and lows in the lives and careers of Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Etta James (Beyonce Knowles), Chuck Berry (Mos Def), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer) and Little Walter (Columbus Short), as they deal with fame, sex, drugs, violence and racism in the changing America of the rock 'n' roll era.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Nany Q
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great cast.........
It's a shame, I felt so saddened because this movie was not promoted at all. Why?
It's a fantastic biopic of Muddy Waters et al, lives.
I was asked yesterday to see the movie with a friend knowing very little other than Beyonce,(he is fanatical about her) was in it.
I admit I was a little reluctant and slightly sceptical (not that I have anything against Beyonce), as I just don't hold the same passion. However I was pleasantly surprised, not only was she not featured for the first hour or so, but I was held in the story of the other characters, namely Muddy and Little Walters. Her portrayal of Etta James was also commendable.
My only disappointment was that they could have delved a little deeper into each character's life.
But for any one who knows very little or has an interest in black music in America during the 40's and 50's, its a good starting point to go away and research further. I for one loved it.
It's a shame, I felt so saddened because this movie was not promoted at all. Why?
It's a fantastic biopic of Muddy Waters et al, lives.
I was asked yesterday to see the movie with a friend knowing very little other than Beyonce,(he is fanatical about her) was in it.
I admit I was a little reluctant and slightly sceptical (not that I have anything against Beyonce), as I just don't hold the same passion. However I was pleasantly surprised, not only was she not featured for the first hour or so, but I was held in the story of the other characters, namely Muddy and Little Walters. Her portrayal of Etta James was also commendable.
My only disappointment was that they could have delved a little deeper into each character's life.
But for any one who knows very little or has an interest in black music in America during the 40's and 50's, its a good starting point to go away and research further. I for one loved it.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Amanda Richards
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Blu-ray
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):
1. SASS biopic of Leonard Chess, co-founder of Chess Records, played by Adrian Brody
2. Quick look at Chicago in the time of segregation
3. Stirring portrayal of Muddy Waters by Jeffrey Wright
4. Short history of Little Walter, played by Columbus Short
5. Quick peek at Chuck Berry, portrayed by Mos Def
6. Quick leer at Etta James, portrayed by Beyonce
7. Passing glimpses of Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker) and Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer)
The problem with this movie is that it doesn't go deep enough into anything, skimming the historical and background stuff to focus instead on cars, cigarettes, alcohol and assorted misbehavior. The main thing you'll learn here is not what made these legends tick, but that they really, really liked Cadillacs.
A good cast, great music and a story that could have been a lot better than this. The stories of these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers deserve more than this superficial skim.
Amanda Richards
1. SASS biopic of Leonard Chess, co-founder of Chess Records, played by Adrian Brody
2. Quick look at Chicago in the time of segregation
3. Stirring portrayal of Muddy Waters by Jeffrey Wright
4. Short history of Little Walter, played by Columbus Short
5. Quick peek at Chuck Berry, portrayed by Mos Def
6. Quick leer at Etta James, portrayed by Beyonce
7. Passing glimpses of Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker) and Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer)
The problem with this movie is that it doesn't go deep enough into anything, skimming the historical and background stuff to focus instead on cars, cigarettes, alcohol and assorted misbehavior. The main thing you'll learn here is not what made these legends tick, but that they really, really liked Cadillacs.
A good cast, great music and a story that could have been a lot better than this. The stories of these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers deserve more than this superficial skim.
Amanda Richards
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Anthony
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
First of all, the downside! If you're a fan of Chess records, you'll get cheesed off with MANY historical inaccuracies - why they made all these, I don't know because the story would still hold up. Secondly, the guy who plays Chuck Berry is poor.
Having said all this, I really enjoyed the film. Leonard Chess, along with Sam Phillips must be one of the most influential guys in music history. Beyonce shows what a great voice she has and it was good to hear her sing the great Etta James's songs. Howlin' Wolf (also a SUN artist) was good, as was Muddy Waters and Little Walter. I would love to have seen Bo Diddley but I'll have to wait until I see "Who Do You Love"
Having said all this, I really enjoyed the film. Leonard Chess, along with Sam Phillips must be one of the most influential guys in music history. Beyonce shows what a great voice she has and it was good to hear her sing the great Etta James's songs. Howlin' Wolf (also a SUN artist) was good, as was Muddy Waters and Little Walter. I would love to have seen Bo Diddley but I'll have to wait until I see "Who Do You Love"
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film
Second time I've bought this first was on DVD. Had to go for the Blu-ray edition as the son borrowed the first ages ago.
Published 8 days ago by Mr. Robert J. Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
cadillac records
brilliant film and music is great the actors were fantastic was one of the best film i have watch will watch over and over
Published 4 months ago by mr d a petty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great music
story line, acting and music are all great. Beyonce played a stunning part, A real eye opener to the history of black music
Published 4 months ago by topcat
5.0 out of 5 stars
cadillac records
Excellent story well portrayed. BEYONCE was first class as always Beyonces portrayal of etta james was very true to life
Published 5 months ago by corrs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Caddilac Records
A good movie for anyone but especially as a memory jerker for people that lived in the era. Would recommend to others.
Published 5 months ago by Michael E. Handbury
3.0 out of 5 stars
BELOW PAR.
To me, a movie isn't really a movie unless it's at least two hours long, so this one, at just one hour and 40 minutes short loses points straight away. Read more
Published 10 months ago by twillight
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable view
Not the greatest film in the world but an enjoyable watch on an interesting subject, some great music through the film.
Published 11 months ago by M. Bunyan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film - I'm glad I discovered it.
As a fan of R&B (that's Rhythm & Blues, not the recent "stuff") I found this fascinating. A great story, and lots of social history. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. P. Wade
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cadillac Records
Fast Delivery.
Great Film, Beyonce is excellent in this film as Etta James. It gives a brilliant glimpse in the music of Chess period in 1940s. Read more
Great Film, Beyonce is excellent in this film as Etta James. It gives a brilliant glimpse in the music of Chess period in 1940s. Read more
Published 15 months ago by M. Steinfort
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cadillac Records DVD
Myself and three friends thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was moving and very touching. Beyonce and Adrien Brody both played their parts fantastically well. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lady Destiny
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