I wish I could say I loved this movie. The artists at Chess Records have been my heroes for more than thirty years. I really wanted to love this movie, but I just couldn't.It wasn't the historical errors, but just a whole lot of really bad acting, and the way certain performers (Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters) turned incredibly powerful, charismatic creative people into boring, drippy, whining losers. What's even more frustrating is that Mos Def is passable as Chuck Berry, and Eamonn Walker totally nails Howlin' Wolf -- but those two actors get about five minutes of screen time.And of course, just to pander to the vast audience dying to see Adrien Brody and Beyonce make out (????) we get a pointless and non-historical "love affair" between Etta James and Leonard Chess.And just when it can't get any dumber, we have Willie Dixon's voice over, which must have been put in for all the eight year old kids who were presumably dying to watch this movie and learn about the blues. ("Ya see, an acoustic guitar is fine when they ain't nothing' but empty fields around you, but in the city you gots to have . . . an electric guitar.") Thanks for clearing that up, Willie.This is me, banging my head against the wall.

Many of (Beyoncé Knowles)'s crazy fans don't know that this movie of her does exist. "Why is that ?" has a lot to do with the movie itself.It's about a phase in the history of music. Back when the power of blues and rock 'n' roll was between the black hands. But while having a lot of drama, there wasn't much of psychoanalysis for its characters.Let's clear something up : There is a difference between a newscast on one side, and a movie on the other. In the first kind there is information, and at the second there is the explanation of it. One is about what, and the other is about why. Nevertheless, in this movie, the stars of singing along with their producers are presented as psychos, addicts, and loose adulterers, for no reasons. Otherwise, the rule is to be psycho, addict, and loose adulterer to work in the art business !!So, why not relating the bohemian life style with the privation of those characters ? Consequently living in excess may be the answer for a first living in indigence. Why nearly all of them lacked the stability or the desire to it ? Is it for hating their grandfathers for it, the same grandfathers who left their lives for the white man to control and humiliate ? The thing is this movie doesn't explain or even try to !So with the exception of (Etta James), all the shown men were having emotional problems for what exactly ? (Adrien Brody)'s character (Leonard Chess) was happily married then a cheater ? Here's where the movie gets weird. Hence I felt for most of the time that I turn over an album of old photos, more than watching a movie that deals finely with the inner of its leads. Then, how come that the movie forgets putting boards for the years where the events are taking place, until it's too late ? How come the theater where (Chuck Berry) always sings looks like a dark narrow room ? And how come (Adrien Brody) throughout the whole movie doesn't age at all unlike the rest of characters ?(Brody) is (Brody) in every movie I watch for him. Obviously, I do not like the guy, and for a damn objective reason : he doesn't convince me much with whatever he plays. Look at the scene of dying; truly pathetic. However this time I blame the script too. On the contrary, (Jeffrey Wright) was very good. (Eamonn Walker) seemed like anyone but himself. (Beyoncé) enjoyed us utterly, being to great extent the best of this movie and not due to her great body only, but of course for the effective portrayal and the incredible singing. The moment of burying the harmonica player, with (Elvis Presley) singing in the background, embodied perfectly the death of the company. Then mixing old track with rap music was so bright; since it says that this modern phase is another step of development which may lead to another revolution ahead. It put beautifully and softly the rap music at a respectful place in the staircase of progress, assuring that it's the voice of its age, just like the blues and rock 'n' roll were for their ages.It's insightful and sad movie. However missed being more profound and dense; a quality I find and love in most of (Martin Scorsese) and (Oliver Stone)'s historical movies. So that's why, with not that big budget too, it looked like TV movie, not winning a good publicity either. Know now the answer of my first question !

Cadillac records for the most part is a fun walk down memory lane and it gives you insight into some of your favourite artists of the 50's. Now if your looking truth it ain't here. Just to be clear on that. This is a Biopic after all and when did Hollywood ever let the truth get in the way of the facts.? The true story is Leonard and Phillip Chess founded Chess records and discovered many of the greatest artist who defined the blues and rock and roll. however in this movie we only have Leonard Chess played by Adrian Brody it's not his best performance he did better in Hollywoodland . the Movie opens up with the famed meeting between Alan Lomax and Muddy Waters in which Lomax looking for Robert Johnson could'nt find him but discovered Muddy Waters instead.Muddy records for the library of congress hears his voice on the tape recorder and discovers his voice. this discovery sends him down to Chicago and the Birth of the delta blues there. Leonard Chess owns a struggling night club until one day he hears Muddy playing and decides to open up a recording studio and release these exciting sounds on record. His night club burns down to the ground and suddenly Leonard has money to open his studio. He calls it Chess records and he discovers major blues talents like Little Walter Howlin Wolf Willie Dixon Chuck Berry.and Etta James. Muddy sees the money come in and it changes his life he becomes a drinking womanizer who doesn't care for consequences too much he even tries to get Leonard involved in some of his dealings but Leonard says no. he's married. Time goes by and suddenly it's the sixties and Chess records seems old style no longer in favour. And Leonard has problems dealing with his artists Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters are feuding both cannot stand each other. Little Walter has become a psychotic wild man with a disdain for authority and Leonard has fallen in love with Etta James who has a harsh drug problem. the Days of Leonard buying his artists Cadillacs for selling records of over a million dollars is gone (Hence the Title Cadillac Records) Chuck Berry is arrested and serving time and an Era goes by just like that. The Film is a bittersweet look at a era gone by when artists were bigger then life where the music actually lived and breathed and it affected the lives of all who heard it. The Best performance must go to Eammon Walker for his portrayal of Howlin Wolf. Walker gives Wolf a cool edge he knows something that we don't he's got style and charisma and most of all he's cool. there's a scene that shows you perfectly when Muddy welcomes Wolf to Chess and tells him about all the money he's going to make Wolf put's him in his place. "You see this truck Well I own it....But it don't own me" Beautiful calm cool and with a edge. Jefferey Wright hits the right notes as Muddy Waters in fact This should 've come on the heels of a Muddy waters Biopic because Wright is that good. Cedric the Entertainer is for once not annoying as he turns in a delightful performance as Willie Dixon. And Beyonce Ah...Beyonce sweet beyonce Shows us she can act with style and class in fact her songs on the soundtrack are a delight or a guilty pleasure,Her rendition of At Last is haunting. She pulls off the role of the first lady of the blues PERFECTLY! the only weakness is Mos Def playing Chuck Berry he plays the role like he should have called it in. But despite that the movie holds together and delivers a Rock and Roll Bio pic that stands up there with American Hot Wax and The Buddy Holly Story and La Bamba. Is there flaws oh yes and inaccuracies but the music and the wonderful performances make it all worth while.

Wow, I've never seen a biopic take such liberties with facts... to the point that the film even invents a murder that never happened. But in all fairness, so did "Amadeus".The point of the film, however, is not to present facts but to foster interest. That much is said in the director's commentary: she says that if people become interested to learn more about these (and other) classic artists, then the film has done its job.Then by all means, it succeeded. The names of Muddy Waters, Etta James, Little Walter & Howlin Wolf have always been a footnote to the general public (including myself). But now I'll definitely take notice.If you're already a blues aficianado, then I doubt you'll care much for this film. But if you're part of the target audience--those who are not familiar with the origin of rock'n'roll or who think erroneously (as I did) that Elvis was the one who started it all--then this movie is worth a watch.I'll give you one warning. It gets ugly. This is NOT a film to be showcased during Black History Month! It portrays many of these artists at their worst: drug-addicted, alcoholic, violent, sex-crazed, uneducated, selfish and perpetually angry. The film has a very cynical, malicious vibe. But I think this was done with a specific intent; the director seemed to be making a strong metaphor to today's gangsta rap, probably with the hopes of reaching a young generation that never appreciated blues & rock'n'roll. I thought that was an interesting angle, though it must offend many blues purists.So there you have it... Don't expect facts. Don't expect history. Don't expect many feel-good moments. Instead expect a very stylish drama about the Chicago 'hood with a lot of sex, drugs & rock'n'roll. I know it sounds like I'm disparaging the movie, but I'm not. I really thought it was an interesting presentation.