Iffy for 15+
Terrific performances make mature musical biopic memorable.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this biopic about several blues musicians co-stars teen favorite Beyonce Knowles but is much grittier than her thematically similar Dreamgirls. Although Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright are the top-billed actors, Beyonce's role has been played up to attract younger audiences. Like most musician biopics, the drama portrays performers dealing with sex, drugs, violence, and fame. Strong language is frequent (primarily the "mother" of all swear words), and there are many scenes of musicians sleeping with eager groupies. Almost everyone has a drinking problem, and two characters are drug users -- one has a disturbing overdose scene. Consumerism is limited to the titular Cadillacs, which are a pivotal aspect of the story.
- Families can talk about the film's messages about the entertainment industry. How do the characters change when fame arrives? Also, how does racism figures in depictions of early rock 'n' roll? How did Muddy Waters' music -- and later Chuck Berry -- affect the division between "race music" and "mainstream" music? Was Chess Records' founder exploiting the African-American musicians who made him rich, or was he an open-minded creative producer willing to buck racial norms? (Or both?) Sex, drugs/alcohol, and violence followed most of the blues artists; why do you think the musicians struggled with all these vices?
The good stuff
-
Messages: Racism is addressed as being complicated and difficult to overcome. It's obvious in the segregated South and in the way that Etta James' alleged father treats her, but it's subtler in the way Chuck Berry is arrested and how Leonard occasionally patronizes his signed musicians. Additionally, characters commit adultery, drink to excess, take drugs, and act violently.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Several scenes of violence, including gun violence; driving under the influence and crashing; police brutality; and a bloody, fatal beating.
-
Sex: The male characters tend to be womanizers who have multiple (and usually extramarital) affairs. Women are shown half-naked, skimpily dressed, and about to engage in group sex. Lots of passionate kissing and going into hotel rooms. In one brief scene, we see a woman lowering her head in a restaurant, obviously to perform oral sex.
-
Language: Strong and frequent: "Motherf--ker" is the word of choice, with "f--k" and "s--t" a close second and third.
-
Consumerism: As if the title doesn't give it away, there are lots of Cadillacs in the film -- every major character has more than one. Pepsi is also mentioned/shown, as is Billboard magazine.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Most of the characters drink, and several drink excessively. At least two musicians are also drug addicts. Etta James is shown overdosing on heroin, lying unconscious next to a needle, with tracks on her arms. All "users" are adults.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
WELL DONE!!!!!!! Must see for all music lovers! by WCinLV
If you love music, this movie is perfect. You get the history along with great performances from some of the best actors of our time. Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright are wonderful actors no matter what movies they are in, but this shows how sexy Adrian is and showcases Jeffery's MANY talents. Columbus Short, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Gabrielle Union and Beyoncé Knowles support this movie with pitch perfect performances; and Mos Def has proved he is here to stay. Eamonn Walker plays Howling Wolf, and if you didn't know his name before from HBO's OZ you will remember it now. He is not only a beautiful man, but what a great actor. This movie has everything a great "based on a true story" movie should have. Go to see this and learn the true history of some great music and have a good time in the process.
3
Magnificent performances, but not for everyone. by Nacho Baggo
Beyonce, Brody, Wright, Mos Def and every one else are great. The cast is almost perfect and the music selections are solid, but this falls well short of RAY or WALK THE LINE. It is also unexpectedly nasty, too.
The dubbing cheapened this brilliant package that attempts to put together this story and capture the magic. This could have been a longer movie, too. I'll be searching the web to research these events and fill in the blanks as it goes rather quickly.
Jeffery Wright has added a great performance to his port folio. He is a very versatile actor.
Beyonce nails her bigger scenes with deep emotion, but they should have let her perform the songs with a live mike.
If you like Beyonce or the blues or Muddy Waters, see it.
If you are looking for another RAY or WALK LINE, you'll be disappointed.
4
Cadillac Records by dpinesmedia
Whoa! I spent the late 60's and early 70's in Chicago just after the Chess label ruled. I still have a collection of LPs-- original pressings of Muddy, Etta, the Wolf and Little Walter. We used to have a Chicago Blues Legends weekly session on campus. This film more than captures the time, the mood and the remarkable music that was THE Chicago Blues. The covers are fantastic-- these guys are channeling the spirit of the music and do a pretty believable job.
If you are interested in Blues historiography-- take the time to see the movie-- then go out to buy the originals. Support the Blues.
5
Cadillac Records by chaburgess
My daughter and I went to see it today. I am a real blues fan and she loves Etta James. We both thought it was great-awesome music and excellent performances! I think if you love the blues, this is a "don't miss it" movie!
5
AWESOME! PLEAASSSE GO! by Mybabyandme
This movie simply exceeded my expectations. It was an excellent history lesson, the plot was sound, and the acting was fantastic! I was also surprised tha this movie had many funny moments that made you laugh out loud. Even if you're not a history buff or familiar with African American music icons of that generation, you'll still enjoy!
5
Cadillac records is a great movie...particularly for a Blues fan by ernier7
Excellent docudrama about the founding life and times of Chess Records.
The music makes the movie....for my money, Beyonce was superb, but the one who stole the show was Eamonn Walker who played Howlin' Wolf...
Wow....electrifying.
5
Great music and acting by rand_smith
This film is not perfect. It has has some notable omissions (notably Leonard Chess's brother and business partner, Phil) and flits quickly through twenty years of complex history. But these weaknesses are overshadowed by the energy supplied by a fantastic cast who make the characters of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howling Wolf and Etta Baker come alive. I would not be surprised to see some Oscar nominations come out of this group. And they even sing most of the music! Among the various music industry biopics, this one is among the best.
5
excellent movie by destani214
Everyone that knows me knows i love Beyonce however she kills her own projects when she puts herself in the spotlight...this was an excellent movie and it would have gotten the play it deserves if she just didnt have to make it seem like it was the Etta James story starring B...this is a movie that should have and could have made number 1 opening weekend...a movie that people should have seen but it wont get the viewing it deserves cause Beyonce was too selfish to make commercials about what the movie was truly about
4
Anybody who reads this review is guaranteed a free cadillac by This fans fa you
This is not a guarantee but a great offer for anyone desperately seeking a good movie. If you enjoy movie's like Ray or Walk the lIne, you will definitely enjoy this movie. It involes the story of four music artists comin up in Chess records in Chicago. Although the story is not different those movies previously mentioned, the characters generate a very interesting cast. From Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Etta James, and Chuck Berry; you will be amused and impressed by the great acting. Especially Colunbus Short's role as Little Walter, he was the standout actor among Jeffry Wright and Mos Def. Beyonce was great as well with her 20 minutes, her and Mos Def did a great job for having such short parts. The rest was good too but not standout enough to mention in this review. In my honest opinion i don't think the movie will recieve an award but its definitely worth seeing.
5
Cadillac Records by randic234
I personally loved the movie.
every actor in the movie,was fantastic.
I think people underestimated Beyonce in the acting field,
and in my opion she proved them all wrong.
She did outstanding,and the music(from everyone) was remarkable.