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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
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
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
Format:DVD
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 2 months ago by Mr. P. Wade
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 3 months ago by M. Steinfort
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 6 months ago by Lady Destiny
Cadilac Records
Great DVD - the last filming for both Bernie Mac and Isasac Hayes. Beyonce, fantastic as Etta James - Brilliant! Read more
Published 8 months ago by JC
Great Music Film
This is a great music film based on Chess records, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf,Chuck Berry and Etta James (Played by Beyonce Knowles). Definitely one to keep for the DVD collection.
Published 8 months ago by Mr. K. C. Punter
Dramatic Licence
A good film for those who want a glossy overview of Chess Records, but rather lacking in depth and a sense of history. Whatever happened to Phil Chess? Read more
Published 9 months ago by P. ROBERTS
funny in places and well acted..........
one of the main reasons for me buying this movie was beyonce.
Cadillac records suprised me because it is a well acted and entertaining film that show a little what life was... Read more
Cadillac records suprised me because it is a well acted and entertaining film that show a little what life was... Read more
Published 13 months ago by sirknight
Cadillac Records....Amazing
This film is possibly the best film of 2009.
The cast is wonderfully picked, especially Beyonce who should have won an Oscar for her part as Etty James. Read more
The cast is wonderfully picked, especially Beyonce who should have won an Oscar for her part as Etty James. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mrs. D. Guest
Good film, Beyonce funny in blonde wig
I bought this DVD after it got mentioned by several celebrities and after I found out that she sings my Ruby Turner all time favourite "I'd Rather Go Blind". Read more
Published 18 months ago by meyley
Very Disappointing
As a huge blues fan i was very excited about seeing this film, as it was going to feature two of the greatest blues artist, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, as well as the great Etta... Read more
Published 18 months ago by G. Smith
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