Beyonce’s Etta James Portrayal The ‘Cadillac’ Of Biopic Roles, Says Co-Star
For decades, it’s been a wedding staple no self-respecting DJ can serenade a bride and groom without. Now, “At Last,” Etta James seems to be inspiring a new performance and song that could become just as iconic.
Although details are sketchy on whether Beyonce and Jay-Z danced to the 1961 ballad at their own nuptials earlier this month, the singer/actress has spent her recent non-wedding-planning days portraying James in the upcoming flick “Cadillac Records.”
“She did an amazing job in this,” insisted her co-star Cedric the Entertainer, cast as blues musician/songwriter/record producer Willie Dixon in the film about the influential American label Chess Records, which launched the careers of everyone from Howlin’ Wolf to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and James.
“I was there the days that she was shooting,” Cedric said of Beyonce. “I wasn’t in any scenes with her, but she brought a real sweetness to it, a realness to the character. It’s something unique, a little different than what you’ve seen before.”
Photos from the set reveal a blonde-haired, bee-hived Beyonce seemingly dedicated to a full-on transformation. The singer has often cited her admiration for Etta James, a blues and R&B singer who was topping the charts and battling a heroin addiction by age 21, and found a heartfelt collaborator in label founder Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody in the film).
“I mean, Beyonce’s just dope anyway, but you’ll be surprised by the little subtleties she’s brought to this character to make it pop,” Cedric insisted. “Plus, it’s a period piece, so it feels a little bit back in time. She was able to be amazing in this character, with this subtle love affair with the Adrien Brody character.”
On top of that, Beyonce will also record a new take on the seemingly ageless wedding wonder.
“‘At Last’ is the big one,” Cedric grinned, looking forward to a soundtrack that will reportedly contain four new tracks by Mrs. Jay-Z, including a cover of James’ signature tune. “I love that one right there. That song’s dope. She’s a bad lady.”
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/05/08...-says-co-star/
