Review of Cadillac Records (2008) by Ken B — 22 Dec 2009

Maybe its because so much of the music presented in this film is so close to my heart (I'm a fan of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, and Etta James, all of whom came out of the Chess Records fold), but I found this film entertaining, moving, and interesting. Aside from the fact that time seems to pass too quickly through the narrative, I found this film to be flawless. The performances were compelling and convincing, the musical performances authentic yet relevant, the characters vibrant and believable. A must see for any fan of classic blues, rock, and r&b, but also a must-see for fans of well-done, thoughtful period dramas about people riding the waves of their own passions.

So why did I not rate it a 90% or even a 100%? Because, while this is a unique film of absolute quality, it is a film about groundbreaking, artful people that is not altogether groundbreaking itself. The focus here is clearly on getting everything right, from the sound, to the look, to the drama. It is not meant to blow your mind with film-making flair or taking on taboo subject matters or new views of the human condition. It's simply a solid, entertaining film made about amazing talents in an important time and place.