Cadillac Records - Movie Review and Synopsis

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Category: Movies. Tags: Drama, Eric Bogosian, Lawrence P. Beron, Musical, Tammy Blanchard, Tim Bellow, Tony Bentley.

Cadillac Records A chronicle of the rise and fall of Chess Records, the Chicago-based record label founded by Leonard Chess (Brody), whose musical ear and business savvy helped foster the careers of Etta James (Knowles), Chuck Berry (Def), and other rhythm-and-blues pioneers.

All my single ladies: Let the idea of Beyoncé Knowles starring as Etta James attract or repel you to this rhythm & biopic, but I have to say that Bey’s revealing statements about her pop-star side (let’s just pretend they’re actual-real quotes) and the arrival of her bi-polar solo album makes me interested in her now more than at any other time in her career. She’d probably be the first person to proclaim that her voice and look doesn’t exactly match up with Ms. James’s, though I’m hoping Etta’s wild side will have a lasting effect on Ms. Knowles. (Hmm, perhaps Sasha Fierce should have been cast instead?) Sony’s been rather quiet on this one, and I’m wondering if the thought here is to give it an awards-qualifying release this month, then blow it out come January. And I’m dying to see what Mos Def (who should reunite Black Star) brings to the screen as Chuck Berry. Mr. Brody is going to have to fight to not be upstaged.

Rated R for pervasive language and some sexuality.