The Good: I love music label bio-pics. It's great that the history is known and revered. This puts the story of Leonard Chess in full focus. Portrayed by Adrien Brody, Leonard Chess actually was co-founder of the record company with brother Phil (Phil gets a brief mention in the film). Not a 4-star stunner, but hearing the old tunes in theater sound mix makes for a good foot-tappin' time and the actors do a great job.

The story is reasonably accurate with Chess forming a partnership with Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright, Felix in the prev James Bond film), who'd just come up from Mississippi and firebrand harp playboy Little Walter (Columbus Short). Eammon Walker and Mos Def portray Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry, respectively. Beyonce plays the bi-racial Etta James, unaccepted by pool shark whiz Minnesota Fats, James is credited with re-invigorating the label as r&b took over from the blues and engaged Chess in a extra marital affair. The Chess label is featured prominently, but I presume the"Cadillac Records" title was used because Chess had a habit of paying artists with a brand-new Cadillac,

Highly recommended for the focus on the roots of American music: Elvis and Beach Boys get branded for their rip-offs and the Stones get a good turn as loving admirers. Berry and Walter's have legal mishaps. James and Walter have substance abuse problems. The rivalry between Wolf and Muddy and Muddy's resentment of Chess' latest hitmaker are pretty accurate. Overall, The film shows how these musicians lived the blues and played it. They were also hustlers, gangsters and players. Thankfully the film doesn't drown in the melodrama pitfalls.

The Bad: Whatever digs you throw at Beyonce's acting, you still give her props for singing ability and getting the funding to exec produce. The story gets compressed because it has to come under the 2hr limit. It would have been much better served as a mini-sereies; preferably on HBO.

The Ugly: concluding tie-ins to shit-hop. I really hate that stuff.

My Boyfriend and I really liked it. It was Nostolgic and Fun and Beyonce was Cool as Etta James. Adrian Brody was cool as the Head of Chess and it was Informative. I dug it.

just saw this on friday and i enjoyed it though i think i missed the first 15 minutes as we were late. i love any music related film so i liked it. i thought beyonce's acting was pretty good actually. i love me some jefferey wright!!

I enjoyed it. Everybody in the movie really held it down.

Howlin' Wolf was a real stand up, I really admired that. And Ima be honest with you - before this movie, I had never heard of Little Walter; that brotha was wild. LOL!

Prospect said:

I got educated too, I didn't know Etta was romantically linked to Leonard Chess.


I'm gonna have to get the Little Walter bio
.

PFunkjazz said:[quote]

Prospect said:

I got educated too, I didn't know Etta was romantically linked to Leonard Chess.



NAW I think I got the wrong impression



http://www.suntimes.com/e...30.article

I was about to say Etta flat out denied it!

The guy playing Wolf was great. In fact all of the acotrs did a good job. Mos Def as Chuick Berry had me rolling.

A few things that irritated me but I guess were for creative license. Leonard Chess didn't die like. Where's the mention of his son who was involved throughout his young life? Then, nothing about the radio station he owned (The Voice of Black America in Chicago) and finally the Motown factor as competition.

Other than that, I loved it. The performances, the reality of life and how it played into the music. The idea that I could walk in a bar and cut your head if your playing wasn't to par. Man, where's that today? I think it's time we start cuttin heads in every bar in the country. Have you been out lately?

Etta did not have an affair.
And Lil Walter didn't murder some guy for using his name.

Fairly accurate? Uh, I think not. And when you're dealing with history and people's reputations you have a responsibility to not make shit up just for fake drama.

The movie was fun but ultimately a disappointment.

Well said SynthiaRose.
This movie is fiction based on fact. Its sort of like "Purple Rain". Also be very careful about what you accept from Marshall Chess. The Blues artists a lot of the time tell a very different story, especially about Leonard. Marshall of course is trying to protect his fathers legacy.