Movie #821 "Cadillac Records" had some great musical moments with Jeffrey Wright, Beyonce and Mos Def playing Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry, respectively. And Adrian Brody as Leon Chess, the one who decided to record all of these fine singers on his Cadillac label in the 50s, is great, as he usually is. However, the script has gaps, and it never gets its rhythm in sync ---- the characters are well acted, but we are left wanting even more information on all of these very talented and complex people. I found myself looking each of them up on the computer to get more info on each famous person this film was introducing us to. It's amazing to me that all of these famous people's careers were launched in Chicago and with this one label. So many crossover records being made here, and you can actually see footage of a concert for Chuck Berry, where it all of a sudden didn't matter if one side of the audience was white and the other black, because they immediately lifted the cords and took to the stage because he was universally liked by both races. There are some very good moments here, just not enough. And what's left is some really, really good music in the film.
Cadillac Records2008R109 minutes I would give it 3 stars out of 5
The sounds of 1950s Chicago color this drama based on the true story of a bar owner who signed a lineup of future legends to his fledgling record label. He crosses paths with Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Etta James, changing the face of pop music.
- Cast:
- Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyoncé Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Mos Def, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Cedric the Entertainer, Columbus Short, Norman Reedus, Tammy Blanchard, Shiloh Fernandez, Eric Bogosian, Joshua Alscher,Osas Ighodaro
- Genre:
- Showbiz Dramas, 20th Century Period Pieces, Dramas Based on Real Life, Drama
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