MovieChat Forums > Cadillac Records (2008) Discussion > Color and Context, a Great Film Underapp...

Color and Context, a Great Film Underappreciated.

posted 16 years ago by Sinclairissa
9 replies | jump to latest

Ever since films like Ray and Walk the Line there has been a lack of respect for the musical biopic in general throughout the film community. Simple movie goers tend to be biased only seeing these films as "copy cats" or "Knock offs" rather than appreciating the fine work and art that went into making them.

Plain and simple Cadillac Records is a fantastic film depicting a time in history people know almost nothing about. Jeoffrey Wright does a great and unacknowledged job as history's greatest original blues man MUDDY WATERS. Adrien Brody is eloquent as ever as the sly record label guru, and Beyonce Knowles gives an unforgetable heart warming performance as the legendary Etta James. I mean honestly, whats not to like about this film? The color pallete of the visuals is simply miraculous. This film shows class and style, as well as light comedy from the appealing Mos Def as Chuck Berry. In temrs off release I think this film deserves more credit, it was released during the highest film contender gross of the season...just days before such titans as Milk and Slumdog Millionaire. This film is sad yet heartwarming, funny and serious, a soon to be classic. Sure there are points where one may argue the historical authenticity, but remember its a film and not a documentary. So I say sit back and enjoy the ride in a classy 1956 Cadillac rolling down to Cadillac Records, a great throw back to music legends and a style of filmmaking not seen since 1968.

[–] atlstl88 16 years ago

Great post. I think for the majority of us on here that have dissected this movie and its loyalty to history, and constant talk of Beyonce, we overlooked what the movie DID do. Most people I know that saw this film, wanted to look for more information on these artists. I know for me, it gave me a new respect for blues music. I never cared for this genre, I knew about it, heard it here and there, was aware of musicians like Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters (grandparents from Mississippi), but now I can actually listen to it and appreciate it. Hollywood rarely sticks to the whole truth. So, now that I think about it, I don't understand how this is a shock to anybody. Yes, some do better, but not drastically. What I really enjoyed was the acting and the chemistry between the actors. Yes, I would've liked to see more character development ( i.e. Mos Def and Eamonn Walker appearing and then disappearing...kind of) over time, but what I did see, I enjoyed..and that's what matter in my opinion.

[–] AlphaOmegaMan 16 years ago

It was one of the best movies of 2008 to me. And no, it didn't get the promotion and studio push that it deserved. A few critics said that the film wasn't shown at any festivals, and they thought it would hurt its chances during award season. Although it had a good screen average it's first week, I didn't see one advertisement for it after the first week of release. I don't know why the studio didn't keep running the ad about the great critical response it got. It has a higher Rottentomatoes score than The Reader, which got a best picture nomination.

[–] BeecanSangg 16 years ago

Something happened with the promotion and the advestisment of this movie. Something went wrong. This movie had a chance to make it.

I think, they should not have released it in November 2008. They should have released it back in August or September of 2008 where there was less competition or movies being released.

It was an underappreciated movie with a great amount of history rolled up in it. It grieves me this has happened.

[–] atlstl88 16 years ago

The movie came out the first week of December. Them not playing the movie at any festivals is what messed its chances up in my opinion. Rarely do these award movies do good at the box office, until award season comes up, and you start hearing all this talk. That's when people start seeing them even more. I think people see a movie nominated, and they have to see the film for themselves to judge and see who should win, and word of mouth takes over even more during that time. I don't think many people went to see No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood until award season. I don't know, I would think a film like this would be a shoe in, in some form (whether acting categories or whatever), especially with the release date it had.

[–] BeecanSangg 16 years ago

I thought it was released in November? Anyway if it was released in December, thats even worst.

[–] Nyla_Hart 16 years ago

The problem is this movie is utterly boring. It doesn't hold the audience's attention. People that have seen the film have nothing to say about it, neither good nor bad. I only saw Cadillac Records we missed the showing of Spirit, and I almost fell asleep during the second act. The performances were bad, and the film lacked excitement. There were no break-out performances, no scene-stealers or show stoppers. I was disappointed in Mos Def because he's a chameleon and really owns a role, but this film is to blame. It should have gone straight to DVD....

if you want to continue responding to me on imdb, lay off the drugs

[–] Dfyusuf 16 years ago

agreed with original poster

Beyonce- Been That Number One Diva In This Game For A Minute

[–] Zlik 16 years ago

This Film is Great. Why it is not super touted like Ben Buttons? Give me a break. Could it that the movie shows how beach boys and Eric clapton others profited from these guys. Plain Robbery. Maybe purposely keep movie down ? I never knew those alarming details. Conspiracy....

[–] James_the_Great 15 years ago

Actually, a lot of people thought it was an excellent movie. It got high ratings on internet movie boards. It just didn't get the festival circuit treatment and promotion that it deserved.