Cadillac Records (2008)This 2008 musical biopic film explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the legendary singers who would record for Chess Records.
Upon going to watch the film I was bit hesistant to go see it, because I just had the funny feeling that it was going to be something I had already seen. (And to a degree it was, but that's ok.) What this movie lacks in dialogue it makes up in the music...maybe this should have been a Broadway musical...naw maybe not...lol. The music overall sets it apart from other films based on singers/musicians. Oddly enough, there were several times that I lost focused just kind of going in and out. But then again I would get a jolt every now and then. Now I can say this, it does a heck of a job showcasing the high's (no pun intended...too many to count from every direction) and the low's of these Blue's legends.
I will also give big “kudos” for Martin showcasing a label that started out selling albums at the back of a Cadillac, and would then launch the careers of legendary musical personalities such as blues singers and harmonica and guitar players Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, blues musician Muddy Waters, soul legend Etta James and guitarist singer-songwriters Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. One can tell that writer-director Darnell Martin has a great respect for this genre of music and the fact that this story needs to be told to the world. I will say this Cadillac Records presents a story that we have seen before (ex. Dreamgirls), however the music in this film is enough to knock your socks off (in a good way…lol). It gets your souls stirring, body shaking, and fingers snapping to a feel good beat.
If there is anything that this movie highlights it is the cast. Each character for the most part exemplifies the original character, sometimes almost perfect. Eammon Walker (Howlin' Wolf) kind of makes you think you are actually seeing the real thing here in 2008. Now Etta James (Beyonce) is probably close to depicting her, even though the real Etta James had a bit of hesistation. Jeffrey Wright (Muddy Waters) said it best, "For me, the intriguing way into the character was through the music. There is a specific cultural and historical place that the music comes from and it's also specific to personality. Not a lot of affectation. Folks aren't out there in the middle of the fields in Mississippi under that midday sun putting on airs. It's an expression of their experience and it's coming through relative to community but as I said, also relative to the personality so there really is a lot of information encoded in the music." It takes a bit of a transformation to pull this all together.
One idea that I may put in question is whether or not there was a TRUE love for the music from the Leonard Chess character (Adrian Brody) or the money, Martin leaves me in a bit of limbo. In the end, maybe even Cedric the Entertainer could get a deal as a voice-over in the future, there's always hope.
This all-star cast is enough in itself to at least go and watch the film, and then draw your own conclusions. Just know this, "If you take the ride, you must pay the price!"
Grade: B-
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