Due to my appreciation of Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright, I've really been trying to get behind the idea of Beyonce Knowles as Etta James, so that I can fully appreciate everything Cadillac Records can offer. So far, it's not happening, and with the first look at Beyonce's Etta, courtesy of Just Jared, I'm really not convinced. You can check out the full picture, plus a peek at a blue-suited Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess over at the site, and above I have given you a side-by-side comparison.
Putting a blonde wig on Beyonce doesn't make her Etta. It makes her look like she's getting ready for Halloween. They just don't look alike. They look different. They have different body types. And they certainly don't sound alike. It just looks like a caricature, which is really a shame, considering the solid cast along for the ride. And heck, as JJ pointed out, Etta doesn't think so either, although she's remaining positive: "It's a privilege and an honor to have somebody like that girl. I don't think she looks like me, but that's all right. They can fix that up."
Etta is going to work with Beyonce on both the acting and singing, so hopefully the pointers can make this all come together.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-10-2008 @ 2:25PM
techstar25 said...
I also heard of a few other movies coming soon:
The Roseanne Barr story, starring Lara Flynn Boyle as Roseanne.
The John Candy story, starring Dj Qualls as Candy.
The Notorious BIG, starring Chris Tucker in the title role.
Reply
3-10-2008 @ 2:51PM
Kelsey said...
I find it very difficult to believe that Beyonce was the best person for the role. Then again, when did Hollywood consider talent over body shape and "star quality".
Reply
3-10-2008 @ 3:18PM
MCW said...
How do you know she's not wearing a fat suit under that coat? And how do you know she hadn't been to makeup for them to paint on the ugly yet?
Don't jump to conclusions just yet.
3-10-2008 @ 3:18PM
kel said...
Why Beyonce and not Queen Latifah?
Reply
3-10-2008 @ 3:42PM
Harry said...
I love Etta James. I feel Beyonce; the Diana Ross of this generation must be allowed her acclaim. Beyonce will bring young and old people to the theaters. Etta will bring her amazing life story to Americans everywhere. Let's stand up and cheer them all. Thanks for listening, signed Harry.
Reply
3-10-2008 @ 4:55PM
Richard said...
I wonder who's going to play Howlin' Wolf.
Reply
3-11-2008 @ 12:01PM
Uncle Nothing said...
Going by the logic of Beyonce as Etta, I'm guessing Howlin' Wolf will be played by Scott Wolf.
3-10-2008 @ 10:56PM
Kevin said...
wow...why on earth would anyone cast beyonce as etta james?!?! beyonce has NO soul in her voice, she can't possibly do etta justice. there are a thousand other women who would be better for this real. they should have had an open audition in my opinion, like they did for effie in dreamgirls.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 6:12AM
Roxanne said...
Beyonce can never be Etta Jones. Why? Because Beyonce is way better. Hahaha.
It's just a movie anyway.
And no one in hollywood, nor in this earth, can portray or 'be' somebody else.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 12:30PM
rodi said...
beyonce is best in everything she does,not good or ok but the best...i think she played the role like perrrrrfect...she is suitable for anything,music,film,bissness,body100%perfect so she is perfect girl for this role and the director is lucky to include her in the movie
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 1:26PM
Calvin Glover said...
Beyonce as Etta James is a joke......a crying shame. Her acting abilities are lackadasical and will leave you befuddled. I agree with one of the earlier post, why not Queen Latifah.
Latifah can act and she can actually hold a note. Beyonce...let see, she's is a great performer and that's it. The girl can not sing, she has great hooks and beats which makes her Beyonce. She reminds me of Roger & Zapp...that girl make all her own sound effects.
She has stage presence and to be honest......for today's generation, she is a modern day Tina Turner although Turner could sing as well.
Beyonce......one of the first people I ever hear sing the Star Spangle Banner and run with it......sing the song as it was written.....the best selling rendition ever was done by Whitney Elizabeth Houston.....no one will top that.
Again Queen Latifah would make a better choice....outside of that I don't know another Hollywood actress that will pull off the look and singing.
Reply
4-02-2008 @ 4:24PM
Tati O said...
Yes.....when someone told me Beyonce would be playing The Wonderful, Soulful, Etta James...I thought they were playing a humongous joke on my affections for the older singer.
I adore Etta and own most of her music on vinyl. I am thoroughly dissappointed Queen Latifah was not offered the role. Comparing body style, comparing vocal tone, the Queen beats Beyonce hands down. No one is doubting the fact that Ms Knowles can sing (in the typical year 2,000 screeching vocals of our generation who is not very knowlegdeable concerning VOCALIZATION and INSTRUMENTATION.
So I hope Beyonce takes the privilege of working with a soulful singer and learn how to improve upon her own voice. She is a great performer and people oogle the body and the fair skin and weave...but don't get this twisted. This is about portraying the great stones in the foundation of our music. And if she does NOT do it justice .......man....I'll weep for years at Etta's wrong doing.
YA FEEL ME! I know those who have to agree really know great music of that day.
Start a petition for the Queen!!!
Vi
Reply
4-21-2008 @ 12:29AM
DJ said...
Sorry. It's too late to start a petition for Queen Latifah. Beyonce's 'agents' have already snagged the role for her; no doubt without a casting call ever announced. They've even managed to negotiate her a spot as an executive producer to the movie.
You are correct, Beyonce's 'star quality' will attract droves of the younger set, many who probably never heard of Chess Records, let alone any of the other popular record labels of Etta's day.
For folks like us, who spent our weaning days listening to Etta James sing 'Roll with Me Henry' and Howlin' Wolf sing 'Natchez Burnin;' Beyonce had better do the role justice, or it might be her last.
Reply