(Synopsis) This movie is based on the true story of how a small music recording studio, Chess Records, located on the south side of Chicago, began recording blues music with Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and Little Walter (Columbus Short) in 1947, and eventually gave birth to rock and roll in 1955 with Chuck Berry (Mos Def). Record producer, Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) has an ear for this different type of music, and believes he can cash in by signing up new talent such as songwriter, Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), and Etta James (Beyonce Knowles). Leonard Chess makes all of his artist part of his family and takes care of them. This is not an easy job for him, because they spend a small fortune on booze, drugs, and the high life. When Chuck Berry goes to jail, Leonard is able to find another talented performer, Etta James, to take his place. In the late sixties, as their music goes out of favor, Leonard Chess gets out of the record business.
(My Comment) This story is not a documentary of Chess Records, but a story about their music. The movie title, 'Cadillac Records,' comes from the fact that Leonard Chess would buy his musicians a new Cadillac when they recorded their first hit record and for each new hit. What the artists didn't know was that the cars were being paid from their record royalties. Leonard Chess treated his artists as family, and the line between business and family sometimes causes conflict between them. If you go to see Beyonce in the movie, you may be disappointed, because she only has a limited amount of screen time with about 3 songs. However, you won't be disappointed by her performance and that of Jeffrey Wright. They make you believe they are Etta James and Muddy Waters, and they actually sing their wonderful songs in the movie. The film can only tell a small part of each artist's story in short scenes, but they are very powerful scenes. (Sony Pictures, Run Time 1:48, Rated R)(8/10)
(My Comment) This story is not a documentary of Chess Records, but a story about their music. The movie title, 'Cadillac Records,' comes from the fact that Leonard Chess would buy his musicians a new Cadillac when they recorded their first hit record and for each new hit. What the artists didn't know was that the cars were being paid from their record royalties. Leonard Chess treated his artists as family, and the line between business and family sometimes causes conflict between them. If you go to see Beyonce in the movie, you may be disappointed, because she only has a limited amount of screen time with about 3 songs. However, you won't be disappointed by her performance and that of Jeffrey Wright. They make you believe they are Etta James and Muddy Waters, and they actually sing their wonderful songs in the movie. The film can only tell a small part of each artist's story in short scenes, but they are very powerful scenes. (Sony Pictures, Run Time 1:48, Rated R)(8/10)