Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 7, 2019

It's got a good beat and you can dance to it. And on this week's Rate-A-Record card, I give [Cadillac Records] a 98.

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Nikki Baughan Roll Credits Oct 30, 2019 4/5

Darnell Martin takes some dramatic licence with the tale of Chess Records. But it's an enthralling story nonetheless, and the outstanding ensemble cast - together with a primal, heart-thumping blues soundtrack - make it a blast from start to finish.

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Stephen Garrett Time Out Nov 18, 2011 3/5

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Kelly Vance East Bay Express Aug 16, 2011

It turns out to be grittier and more lowdown than that Ray Charles bio.

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Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Jul 6, 2010

The movie's major problem is its relatively superficial approach to postwar Chicago, which perhaps accounts for director Martin's playing fast and loose with the historical record.

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Pete Hammond Hollywood.com Sep 8, 2009 4/5

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Clay Cane BET.com Jul 3, 2009 B-

Cadillac Records is not a terrible movie but in the chain of rags to riches films (Dreamgirls, Ray, Walk the Line, etc.) it definitely falls at the bottom of the heap.

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Cosmo Landesman The Times (UK) Feb 26, 2009 4/5

The music is good, the suits are sharp, but it's the outstanding performances that wow. Walker is electrifying as Howlin' Wolf and Beyoncé - playing Etta James - has never been so sultry and sexy.

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Philip French Observer (UK) Feb 26, 2009

The music, largely performed by the actors, is highly enjoyable.

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Allan Hunter Daily Express (UK) Feb 26, 2009 3/5

The rich soundtrack is one of the highlights of this solid, unfamiliar story in which most of the actors do all their own singing.

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Peter Howell Toronto Star Feb 20, 2009 2.5/4

Perhaps there were insurmountable legal restrictions. But the movie still serves as a dandy primer for rediscovering a lot of great music.

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Kevin Williamson Jam! Movies Feb 20, 2009 2.5/5

A scattershot ensemble piece that exceeds its reach in its retelling of the origins of Chicago's Chess label.

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Stephen Cole Globe and Mail Feb 20, 2009 3/4

Anyone who likes pop music or wonders how bands like the Rolling Stones got rolling will enjoy the ride.

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Feb 20, 2009 2/5

Sadly the movie conforms to all the music-biopic stereotypes we've seen in Walk the Line, Ray and Dreamgirls.

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Christopher Tookey Daily Mail (UK) Feb 20, 2009 2/5

The film is a mess.

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Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Feb 20, 2009 3/5

The music is great, so energetic and vital it leaves the drama looking unfocused in comparison. Beyoncé, singing her heart out, is the pick of a very impressive line-up.

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Neil Smith thelondonpaper Feb 20, 2009 3/5

It's a shame director Darnell Martin depends so heavily on the clichéd conventions of every other rags-to-riches biopic.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Metro Newspaper (UK) Feb 20, 2009 2/5

Dripping with drink/drugs/infidelity melodrama: it's almost impossible not to make a compelling movie out of this material, but somehow writer/director Darnell Martin manages.

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