Cadillac Records

Release Date: December 5, 2008
Studio: TriStar Pictures (Sony)
Director: Darnell Martin
Screenwriter: Darnell Martin
Starring: Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyonce Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Cedric the Entertainer, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive language and some sexuality)
Official Website: CadillacRecordsmovie.com
Review: Not Available
DVD Review: Not Available
DVD: DVD | Blu-ray Disc
Movie Poster: View here
Production Stills: View here

Plot Summary: "Cadillac Records" chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in Chicago of the 1950s and 60s, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's greatest musical legends.

The story of how the blues became popular and gave birth to rock and roll begins at a dingy bar on the rough South Side of Chicago in 1947, where an ambitious young Polish émigré, bar owner Leonard Chess (Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody), hires a talented but undisciplined blues combo that includes quiet and thoughtful guitar prodigy Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and impulsive and colorful harmonica player Little Walter (Columbus Short). Fascinated by the sound of the music – and eager to cash in on the record burgeoning record business – Chess arranges a recording session for Waters. Waters' early recordings start moving up the R+B charts and receiving heavy play.

Chess treats his musicians like family – he buys them a Cadillac when they record their first hit record – although the line between business and personal sometimes causes conflict with his increasingly talented and successful stable of artists. After backing up Muddy on his early recordings, Little Walter becomes a star in his own right, but his quick temper and loud manner often run him afoul of friends and the law. He also finds that the only woman he can talk to is Muddy's girl, Geneva (Gabrielle Union), who struggles to remain loyal despite Muddy's poorly concealed affairs. Big Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), a songwriter and bandleader, also is a key member of the Chess Records family, as is Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), an intense and proud blues singer who develops a musical rivalry with Muddy.

But it's not until 1955 when a Chess artist finally "crosses over" into the realm of mainstream ("white") America – a skinny guy from St. Louis named Chuck Berry (Mos Def), whose dynamic "duck walk" and catchy, country-tinged tunes mark the birth of rock-and-roll. When Berry is arrested and jailed at the height of his career, Chess finds another talented performer to cross over – singer Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), an emotionally scarred young woman whose vulnerability tempts Chess' loyalty and concern in unexpected ways.

As rock-and-roll grows more popular, the Chess artists find themselves revered by a new generation of musicians, but they have also each earned and lost a small fortune on booze, women and the high life, and their addictions begin to take their toll. Even as tragedy befalls, their music and their spirit remain strong: as the sixties wind down and Leonard Chess gets out of the record business, the blues live on.

Trailer (11.4.08):
QuickTime/Flash Player, Various

TV Spot 1 (10.24.08):
Flash Player

TV Spot 2 (11.20.08):
Flash Player

TV Spot 3 (11.20.08):
Flash Player

7 Clips (11.26.08):
Flash Player, Various

Extended Clip (11.30.08):
Flash Player

COMMENTS (20)

Posted by:

M.De'reon

May 1, 2008

BEYONCE' WILL DO WONDERFUL IN THAT ROLE AND ANYONE COULD PLAY AN ANGRY BLACK WOMAN IN A MOVIE. WHO KNOWS MABEYE BEYONCE' WILL LAND A GOLDEN GLOBE AND MABYE AN ACADMY AWARD FOR HER ROLE IN CADILLAC RECORDS. GOD BLESS YOU GIRL AND SHOW THE HATERS WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Posted by:

Little Rachel

June 9, 2008

Hmm... Beyonce', huh? She seems a little refined, and a little... well, "little". I guess she has more womanly curves than most of Hollywood, and I can't think of many other actresses that would have the pipes or the box office draw of Beyonce. But I would rather see Jennifer Hudson (for the voice) or Queen Latifah (for the looks and acting ability).

Posted by:

sam_carlos98

June 17, 2008

yea I don't think Beyonce is good person to play Etta James role for one thing is she don't look like her another she don't sound like her now like Little Reachel said now Queen Latifah could be a better person for the roll. now dont get me wrong but i like Beyonce but she is now Etta James and this is comming from a 28 year old i think they should have did little more resourch on the cast. instead of looking for name's the stand out

Posted by:

Brandon

June 28, 2008

First of all I think Beyonce would be great for the role becuz we have to remember ppl that this is in fact a movie and just becuz she doesnt look or sound like Etta James doesnt mean that she can not portray her. No one can sing or look like Etta James besides Etta James. Angela Basset looks nothing like tina turner nor can she sing like tina but she played the hell out of that part. Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson lol thats a joke. Jennifer hudson was only good for that one movie and that was it.

Posted by:

Lil.G

July 26, 2008

BEYONC'E ALL THE WAY........... like brandon said
angela sounds or looks nothin like tina.... but that was my favorite roll 4 her she did great... Go Beyonc'e GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by:

Latrell

September 10, 2008

I MEAN SERIOUSLY...BEYONCE WILL ROCK THIS MOVIE!!!...COME ON!!!...HAVE YALL SEEN FASHION ROCKS...BEYONCE KILLED ETTA JAMES SONG "AT LAST"...I MEAN JUST BECOUSE SHE DONT LOOK LIKE HER WHICH SHE KINDA SORDA DOES...SHE STILL GOT THOSE PIPES....AND NO BODY CANT MESS WITH BEYONCE ON THIS ONE REAL TALK.....BEYONCE FIRST OSCAR NOMINATION ON THIS MOVIE...AYYYEEE...WATTUP...BAP BAP BIP BIP BOW...LMFAO!!!!!!!

Posted by:

MONE

September 22, 2008

SAW BEYONCE ON U TUBE SHE DID GREAT BUT WHEN I HEAR THAT SONG (AND ITS ONE OF MY FAVORITES) I THINK OF QUEEN LATIFA

Posted by:

Lynda

October 7, 2008

At last, my fav song to be played @ my wedding! Can't wait to see Beyonce portray the one & only Etta!

Posted by:

nafe

October 27, 2008

that latrell guy needs to learn english, does it matter who plays who, aslong as it makes money in the cinema, who cares, u guys need to just ..well do what any normal person would ..watch the movie or dont watch the movie ..simple!!

Posted by:

yellowdog

October 27, 2008

Still don't get the Beyonce fascination.

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