Product: Cadillac Records [Blu-ray] (2008)
Rating: 4.0
Taking liberties with the truth.
While I enjoyed the movie as entertainment, I felt that the whole essence and soul of what was Chess Records was somewhat compromised. As cozy nostalgia for a time in history when black American music was something to get excited about, this movie is okay... but it wanders from the path of truth and righteousness and makes you want to reach for the original music. Beyonce Knowles (as Etta James) is clearly out of her depth... and the snippet of hip-hop at the end only serves to show how African American culture has devolved into forgettable mush. I mean, come on... who is going to care about Q-Tip or Coolio in 50 years time? Worth a look, but the truth is considerably stretched. The music is still good... but the performances, while slick, are not a patch on the originals.