IMDb > Cadillac Records (2008)
Cadillac Records
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Cadillac Records (2008) More at IMDbPro »

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Cadillac Records (2008) -- In this tale of sex, violence, race, and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, Cadillac Records follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James
Cadillac Records (2008) -- Clip: Meet Etta
Cadillac Records (2008) -- Cadillac Records Theatrical Trailer
Cadillac Records (2008) -- Trailer for the film based on true events of the history of Chess Records
Cadillac Records (2008) -- Chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists.

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   3,884 votes
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MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Darnell Martin (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Cadillac Records on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 December 2008 (USA) more
Tagline:
If you take the ride, you must pay the price. more
Plot:
Chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 16 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(261 articles)
Hannah Montana song stripped of Grammy nomination
 (From BoxWish. 11 December 2009, 3:01 AM, PST)

Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb' No Longer a Grammy Contender
 (From Celebrity Mania. 10 December 2009, 6:39 PM, PST)

User Reviews:

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Adrien Brody ... Leonard Chess

Jeffrey Wright ... Muddy Waters

Gabrielle Union ... Geneva Wade

Columbus Short ... Little Walter

Cedric the Entertainer ... Willie Dixon

Emmanuelle Chriqui ... Revetta Chess

Eamonn Walker ... Howlin' Wolf

Mos Def ... Chuck Berry

Beyoncé Knowles ... Etta James
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joshua Alscher ... Mick Jagger

Tim Bellow ... Man in the Caddy

Tony Bentley ... Lomax

Lawrence P. Beron ... Overseer
Tammy Blanchard ... Isabelle Allen

Eric Bogosian ... Alan Freed

Marc Bonan ... Keith Richards
Wayne Cobham ... Piano - Ettas Recording Recording Group

Ryan Curtis ... Picnic Boyfriend

Veronika Dash ... Blonde

Eshaya Draper ... Charles Waters - 7 Years Old

John Farrer ... Violinist - Ettas Recording group

Shiloh Fernandez ... Phil Chess

Jill Flint ... Shirley Feder

Doug W. Goldman ... Trumpet - Ettas Recording group

Gano Grills ... Slick Pimp

Suzette Gunn ... Minnie

Evan Hart ... Young lover

Osas Ighodaro ... Vicky - Maid

Kevin Jackson ... Mysterious Black Man

Albert Jones ... Hubert Sumlin

Nate Jones ... Etta's Recording Group

Rayan Lawrence ... Harmonica Player

Chyna Layne ... Juanita

Malikha Mallette ... Little Walter's girlfriend
Kevin Mambo ... Jimmy Rogers

Aaron Munoz ... Manager

Anthony Del Negro ... Bandstand Dancer

Natasha Ononogbo ... Muddy Waters' Girlfriend
Ginnie Randall ... Muddy Waters Grandmother

Norman Reedus ... Chess

Jake Robards ... Robert

Jay O. Sanders ... Mr. Feder

Stephen Seidel ... Officer Brown

Derrick Simmons ... Dice Player

Valence Thomas ... James Cotton

Isiah Whitlock Jr. ... Black mississippi dj

Dwan Dink Young ... Drums - Ettas Recording group
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive language and some sexuality.
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Leonard Chess's brother Philip was his partner in both the night club and Chess Records. However, Philip never appears or is mentioned in the film. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Alan Freed introduces "Surfin' USA." The song came out in 1963, when Freed was out of the radio business. more
Quotes:
Etta James: Don't be looking at me like I ain't got no draws on. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
I Can't Be Satisfied more

FAQ

Why was Muddy Waters playing guitar with a thing on his finger?
What other legendary R&R and R&B recording artists are featured in the movie?
Who is the person narrating the movie?
more
42 out of 64 people found the following review useful.
Huge, 5 December 2008
10/10
Author: Michael Fargo from San Francisco

While this film lacks an original framework (it's "Ray" and "La Bamba" and "Hot Wax" and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"....), both the subject--a seminal recording label--and the performances make this electrifying entertainment.

I can't speak to the accuracy of its historical facts regarding Leonard Chess' exploitation of some of music's largest figures, but the screenplay zooms along and takes us with it. Jeffrey Wright finally gets a role that hopefully will secure his stature. It's overdue. As Muddy Waters his towering strength both as a character and an actor are very impressive here. As well, the entire supporting cast (and it's a large cast) really rise to the occasion. Columbus Short as Little Walter and Gabrielle Union as Water's wife are equally impressive. And in smaller roles, Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf and Mos Def as Chuck Berry nearly steal the show.

I've never been much of a fan of Adrien Brody, but in the first half of the film, he's quite effective. It's only when Beyoncé Knowles arrives that he stumbles, and who can blame him. Ms. Knowles takes a sensational role and scorches the screen. As the conflicted and troubled Etta James, there's a scene on a livingroom floor in front of a fireplace that should win Ms. Knowles many awards. And we're given a generous helping of sensational James' track very well covered by Ms. Knowles.

When we watch America's taste in music change--both before and after the centerpiece of this story--we're at first exhilarated at the discovery of this "new" form of music, and when it wanes and the lives that were propelled to stardom flag, we feel an enormous sadness. But what we know today--that these individuals became legends--is of great consolation.

I don't care that the structure is straightforward. The recreation of the period and it's attitudes are spot on, and the cinematography by Anastas N. Michos make the film rise above any weakness in the script.

Then, there's the soundtrack....

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cadillac Records (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Not factual!!! Badly made. shelly10538
Gabrielle Union was amazing! rhapha1
Color and Context, a Great Film Underappreciated. Sinclairissa
Blown away by Beyonce... holydanny
Should Etta James get her own biopic? Cherrybelly
No Phil Chess or Bo Diddley? BrianDefferding
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