Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 5:47 pm
Just got in from seeing this. Make no mistake, you are going to this movie to enjoy the music and the "light version of the actual story" that attempts to tell some of the story about the birth of rock 'n roll. (Omits some important people and events and real characterizations (payola, etc). But . . .) Despite that (and though I was born in 1947 and the film starts in 1941), I LIVED through some of this period and watched all the big names on TV as a young teen. So it was absolutely wonderful to me. It was mostly about Chess Records (Leonard Chess, played by Adrien Brody) who helped advance what were called "race records"--that is, black recording artists--who were just starting to make it on the airwaves. Chess' first recording artist was Muddy Waters. Jeffrey Wright (not sure I've ever seen him before) played Waters. I thought he did a great job, but I have read critiques saying he did not capture the mystique of the man. The actor who played Howling Wolf was absolutely incredible: Eamonn Walker (Oz). He was described in one review as "positively feral," and I couldn't agree more. Now that was a riveting performance. And Beyonce played Etta James. I almost fainted when she sang two absolutely superb Etta James "I'd Rather Go Blind" and "At Last" BEAUTIFULLY. I have the Etta James recordings and there is a difference, of course, but Beyonce should be very proud. She did a terrific job! (Her acting was excellent, too.) Mos Def (love that guy) played the part of Chuck Berry. Cedric the Entertainer tells the story (plays the character of Willie Dixon, a lyricist, in the movie), and Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) played Little Walter (harmonica whiz)--and brought out my only tears in the movie. Gabrielle Union played the wife of Muddy Waters. She did a great job, too. Very believable. I would definitely recommend this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (I'd give it 3 1/2 stars out of 4)
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