MovieChat Forums > Cadillac Records (2008) Discussion > Blown away by Beyonce...

Blown away by Beyonce...

posted 15 years ago by holydanny
29 replies | jump to latest

I finally got round to watching Cadillac Records today and I must say I was mesemerised by Beyonce's performance. I admit I have little reference of the real Etta James (other than her music) to compare, but despite this I was genuinely moved by Beyonce's portrayal and thought she showed incredible growth as an actress in this performance, which is far and away the best of her career so far.

Likewise her musical numbers were amongst the best in the film, and while her voice was still very distinct I loved her take on Etta's classics. I can understand why some Etta fans might be annoyed that they chose to rerecord the songs rather than have her lipsync to the originals, but personally I thought her own singing added another layer of depth to her performance; after all while she may be a decent actress who continues to improve (as this film clearly shows!) music is where her true genius lies.

I'm sure many people will disagree with me, but in the case of Beyonce I think she could win 5 Oscars, 6 Golden Globes, 4 BAFTAs and a Kids Choice Award and people would still claim she's a terrible actress.

This was a great performance. Bravo Beyonce!

[–] fwomp 15 years ago

I agree with your summation. Beyonce blew me away. I liked her okay in Dreamgirls. But here she went leaps and bounds beyond that in her acting.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] cutiepiedev 15 years ago

She was actually really good in this movie. I was impressed. Not to mention she is just absolutely stunning. So gorgeous.

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[–] bestintheworld82 15 years ago

People who didn't see the movie like the poster above me shouldn't be talking. She wasn't good in this movie. You're just throwing it out cause she's beyonce.

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[–] relandal 15 years ago

She was decent to good in this. But awful in Obsession. She needs to be more consistent.

[–] perum6 15 years ago

Beyonce really went in for this role and it paid off because her acting was phenomenal. And I'm not a biased Beyonce fan...her acting in Goldmember was ok as well as Dreamgirls but Cadillac records was brilliant for her. I'm upset she wasn't nominated for her acting

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[–] keywestmusicinc 15 years ago

Beyonce did a great acting job in this movie, and Im not a Beyonce fan at all. Also the guy who portrays "Little Walter", those 2 did the best acting job in my opinion

[–] easterzbunny 15 years ago

I'm sorry but if you compare beyonce to any of the other black actresses out there like Nia Long or Sanaa Lathan, or Angela Basset or Halle Berry SHE AINT SHYT

[–] bilamos8 14 years ago

Beyonce is growing as an actress, lets remember shes very new to this industry and unlike her talent for music, its clear acting doesnt come naturally to her. but what i love about her is that she not about to let that stop her from trying.

her performance in this film is very impressive especially the scene where chess and waters find her in the house. as a beyonce fan i am very proud of her and look forward to seeing her in future films.

[–] cutiepiedev 14 years ago

wtf are you talking about? I did see the movie. And uhh no I wasn't just "throwing it out cause she's Beyonce." I thought she was pretty good in this, definitely better than anything else she has been in. The movie was stupid though. Also I'm allowed to say she looked gorgeous, it has nothing to do with her acting or me just saying it because she is Beyonce. Dumb.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

[–] tincel1372 15 years ago

You're kidding, right?
She was AWFUL in this movie, I cringed whenever she appeared in a scene.
There are many actresses out there who could have done a way better job.
Her singing was great, though. She should stick to it.

[–] stanleybix-1 14 years ago

She is a bad actress. Always comes across as wooden in spoken lines. That said, she is beautiful and she sure can sing!

[–] James_the_Great 14 years ago

Beyonce was great in this movie. I thought she was deserving of an Oscar nod. Throughout all of Beyonce's movies, I see her potential to be a great actress. I don't see how people think that Beyonce is supposed to be Meryl Streep after only five or so movies. Most full-time actresses are not even put under that kind of pressue after only a few movies. I look forward to seeing what other roles Beyonce will do.

[–] bilamos8 14 years ago

i completely agree with you! other actresses who people feel may have delivered a better performance would not sing the songs to the level that beyonce did.

like you said, she has been in less than 10 films whilst juggling a very successful music career along with god knows how many other projects. her growth is gradual but noticeable. in 5-10 years time when she has more films and experience under her belt, she will be up there with the black actresses people keep comparing her too.

[–] LordGaGa 14 years ago

I feel like if any other actress that was mentioned on this board played Etta instead of beyonce they would probably wouldn't be criticized as much mainly due to the fact that they aren't Beyonce. She gets scrutinized 100x more than most actresses mainly because of the fact that people refuse to accept the possibility that she may be able to act.

Is she a confirmed great actress? No. Was her performance in Cadillac Records great? I think so. If she did some more great performances up to that caliber then i think she'd be well on her way to securing her acting career.

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[–] sharkattack1978 14 years ago

I do agree that she acted like Etta James but did she sing like her, NO she sang like Beyonce singing Etta James. That lost the movie for me, there the other actors sounded like the counterparts that they were playing and Beyonce didn't sound like Etta.

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[–] workingonzen 14 years ago

I would have to see her in better material.

[–] davina_e 14 years ago

I listened to Etta James versions of the original songs and I prefer Beyonce's version by a long shot. I think Beyonce had more emotion and color in versions......It could have been better recording technology, but still B's is better to me. Who agrees?

[–] coldnaps 8 years ago

6 years later, nobody who knows music would agree. Her versions of Etta's songs were putrid

[–] elenamuti 14 years ago

I actually thought Beyonce ruined the movie. Her voice is nothing like Etta plus she was too much of an empty femme fatale. Pity 'cos the other actors are AMAZING (Howlin Wolf: how good was that guy?).

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