Cadillac Records, written and directed by Darnell Martin - 9 out of 10

Cadillac Records, written and directed by Darnell Martin
9 out of 10


Cadillac Records is an astounding film that follows the rise of musical geniuses that have delighted millions and furthermore, inspired other artists, some of them performing today...

Let us just mention The Rolling Stones.

Adrien Brody has the leading role of Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records, who would discourage and launch the career of some fabulous men and women...in fact, it might have just one woman singer, alas.
In his early days, when a poor young man aspiring to get married, his would be father-in-law mocks his entrepreneurial ideas.

If the young man wants to open shop in a Native American neighborhood, he would not take his daughter there.
These were days of official segregation, when racism was a serious plague.

In one serious incident, Little Walter, one of the talented musicians working with Chess is stopped by the police.
They call him the n word and he retorts, stating his mother had not given him that name.

The white monsters in uniform beat him severely, because...he was black.
In another scene, the sensational Chuck Berry is abused and insulted at a club, only because his skin has the wrong color for racists.

However, the police cannot prevent crowds from mixing, even in segregated venues, when the same Chuck Berry was singing.
The law would jail him though, for he had a multitude of admirers who loved to be intimate with him and that got him in prison eventually.

A long time friend of Leonard Chess is Muddy Waters aka the wondrous Jeffrey Wright.
Their partnership lasts over the years, although Waters suspects that Chess is cheating at times.

A serious rivalry opposes Muddy Waters to another great talent, Howlin' Wolfaka the memorable, impressive Eamonn Walker.
The former takes one member of the band of the latter and there follows a death threat

Howlin' Wolf is a very proud and loyal leader.
When Chess instructs a guitar player to tone it down, Wolf is furious and states that he is the only one who can tell band members what to do.

They have to talk to him.


As expected, there are big egos involved.
Only these are serious, mostly admirable, very talented men, not inclined to act as Kanye West, a Trump supporter.

Little Walter desires the wife of Waters and they have some disputes.
Walter gives the example of Wolf, whose loyalty is undisputed and to be copied.

Finally, there is another tumultuous, complex relationship between Chess and Etta James aka the splendid Beyoncé.

Cadillac Records is a film to watch and enjoy, for it has so much to offer...fabulous music, extraordinary cast, phenomenal stories.
You could not ask for more.