Cadillac Records

02/24/09 5:58pm

by Steve McLean (CHARTattack)

I saw Cadillac Records, a film based on the story of Chicago's Chess Records label, on Monday night.

The label run by Polish Jew Leonard Chess signed what were known as "coloured" artists who made "race music" back in the '50s, and was responsible for introducing the world to blues greats Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf, rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry and singer Etta James. There were many others, too — including Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Little Milton and Bo Diddley — but these are the artists the movie spotlights.

Each of these performers have interesting stories that would be deserving of their own films, and writer/director Darnell Martin did an excellent job of finding actors who could play them. Jeffrey Wright as Waters, Columbus Short as Little Walter, the imposing Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf and Beyonce Knowles as James all excel. I wasn't quite as sold on Mos Def's portrayal of Berry, but it was still solid. Adrien Brody, who won a best actor Academy Award for 2002's The Pianist, is also fine as Chess.

Knowles looked like she might have added some padding to her booty under her tight dresses for the role, while Brody's massive nose is unfortunately all too real.

The music is composed of both original recordings and recreations and gives you the sense of power and sensuality that early blues and rock 'n' roll possessed.

I'm somewhat familiar with the history of Chess and its artists (though I now want to delve further), and the film plays with the truth a bit in places to add to the drama, but the film generally handles things well. It seems strange that Leonard's brother, Phil Chess, isn't included at all in the film even though both men ran the label. But Leonard died of a heart attack in 1969, a few months after selling the company, and Phil is still alive. Maybe it was easier to focus on someone who couldn't comment on or criticize the story and portrayal.

It also seems odd to name the film Cadillac Records instead of Chess Records. I'm not sure if there were legal reasons for that, since the Chess label is named throughout the film. Perhaps it's due to Leonard Chess often rewarding his artists with new Cadillac automobiles as opposed to paying them the royalties they were due but often didn't receive.

If you have an interest in the blues or early rock 'n' roll, I definitely recommend Cadillac Records.

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