Cadillac Records

2008 R 1h 49m Blu-ray / DVD

Cadillac Records

2008 R 1h 49m Blu-ray / DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
The sounds of 1950s Chicago color this drama based on the true story of a bar owner who signed a lineup of future legends to his fledgling record label. He crosses paths with Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Etta James, changing the face of pop music.
Cast
Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Beyoncé Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Yasiin Bey, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Cedric the Entertainer, Columbus Short, Norman Reedus, Tammy Blanchard, Shiloh Fernandez, Eric Bogosian, Joshua Alscher, Osas Ighodaro
Director
Darnell Martin
Format
Blu-ray DVD
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Subtitles
English, French
CC
Yes
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1, Full Screen 1.33:1
Subtitles
English SDH, English, French
CC
Yes
Audio
English: DTS 5.1 HD, French: DTS 5.1 HD, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Rating
R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them. R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.
age 16+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 16+
age 16+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this biopic about several blues musicians co-stars teen favorite Beyonce Knowles but is much grittier than her thematically similar Dreamgirls. Although Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright are the top-billed actors, Beyonce's role has been played up to attract younger audiences. Like most musician biopics, the drama portrays performers dealing with sex, drugs, violence, and fame. Strong language is frequent (primarily the "mother" of all swear words), and there are many scenes of musicians sleeping with eager groupies. Almost everyone has a drinking problem, and two characters are drug users -- one has a disturbing overdose scene. Consumerism is limited to the titular Cadillacs, which are a pivotal aspect of the story.

Sexual Content

The male characters tend to be womanizers who have multiple (and usually extramarital) affairs. Women are shown half-naked, skimpily dressed, and about to engage in group sex. Lots of passionate kissing and going into hotel rooms. In one brief scene, we see a woman lowering her head in a restaurant, obviously to perform oral sex.

Violence

Several scenes of violence, including gun violence; driving under the influence and crashing; police brutality; and a bloody, fatal beating.

Language

Strong and frequent: "Motherf--ker" is the word of choice, with "f--k" and "s--t" a close second and third.

Social Behavior

Racism is addressed as being complicated and difficult to overcome. It's obvious in the segregated South and in the way that Etta James' alleged father treats her, but it's subtler in the way Chuck Berry is arrested and how Leonard occasionally patronizes his signed musicians. Additionally, characters commit adultery, drink to excess, take drugs, and act violently.

Consumerism

As if the title doesn't give it away, there are lots of Cadillacs in the film -- every major character has more than one. Pepsi is also mentioned/shown, as is Billboard magazine.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Most of the characters drink, and several drink excessively. At least two musicians are also drug addicts. Etta James is shown overdosing on heroin, lying unconscious next to a needle, with tracks on her arms. All "users" are adults.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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