Earlier today I had a chance of watching Cadillac Records, the new movie which is supposedly based relatively on singer Etta James' life. Having learned a lot about the movie, since I'm working on a premiere where we are anticipating Mos Def as a guest, it was good to finally witness what I have read about on the web, for myself.
The movie chronicles the rise of Chess Records (owned by Leornard Chess, played by convincingly Adrien Brody) and the colourful lives of their artists, including legendary blues and soul songstress Etta James (played by Beyonce Knowles), king of funk Muddy Waters (played by Jeffrey Wright), the distinctive and powerful-voiced Howlin' Wolf (played by Eamonn Walker), eccentric and humorous Berry Gordy (played by Mos Def), as well as talented but also troubled Little Walter (played by young Columbus Short). Narrated by Willie Dixon (played by Cedric the Entertainer), Cadillac Records is able to give you a vivid picture of how the music industry works, or at least worked then. Not that much has changed today, but some of the principals of the music business were a little different back then.
Many have praised Beyonce on this role, but I saw no progression from what she has done before, since she plays yet another singer here (by the way, she made sure she gets this role by signing on as an executive producer). I felt the male cast members did brilliantly in their respective roles. Especially Columbus Short in his role as Little Walter. He commanded the flawed character and made it his own with such ease and flair. Jeffrey Wright also excelled as Muddy Waters, displaying an amazing ability to flex his acting muscle to great potency. The same needs to be said for Mos Def, who gave the role of Berry Gordy awesome vigor and charm. And of course Adrien Brody has the ability to show different emotions just at the right moment, and a lot has to be said for an actor who is able to soundly capture whatever moment is required at that time with such precision. Worth a mention is actress Gabrielle Union, who plays Waters' ride-or-die other half Geneva Wade, also able to display her emotions very fittingly throughout the movie.
All in all, Cadillac Records was a great film. It gives you a glimpse into the workings of the music industry and the assorted and mostly troubled lives led by musicians or artists. This film also marks the 50th anniversary of the Motown era, which Gordy was very influntial in steering.
Cadillac Records opens at selected cinemas nationwide on the 29th of May 2009. But before that, like I've mentioned above, YEAHBO.DOT.NET has been granted a screening of the film on the 07th of April 2009. What makes the screening even more exciting is the fact that Mos Def (who is set to wow hip hop and jazz fans at the Cape Town Internationa Jazz Festival in about 2 weeks) will be making a appearance as a special guest. if you want to be part of this groundbreaking experience, go to YEAHBO.DOT.NET and follow the instructions.
