Two Films, About Executives, That are Not Boring

Does the sound of a film about an executive of a company sound boring to you? What could such a film have to offer in the way of entertainment? Maybe the thought of an executive, even one who is involved in the entertainment world, sounds like dull fare to you. Surely, the “Suits” of the entertainment world are not as entertaining as those they bring to our attention. The “Suits” are just those who handle the finances and lead their mediocre lives while bringing funding to the real talent. That may be the case with some executives, however, when it comes to those who help bring us something fresh and different, those “Suits” may turn out to have interesting back stories. There are two films that show the story of two men who helped change music by simply by starting a record company. Two men who at first seemed like outsiders to the artists they signed and brought to the public’s attention. Two men who both loved a type of music and did everything in their power to let the world know about it. Their stories have been made into two very different, interesting films.

Cadillac Records

Darnell Martin directed this 2008 film, about the life of Chess Records founder, Leonard Chess, played by Adrien Brody. As Chess Records was one of the primer Blues Record companies, the film also depicts events in the life of Muddy Waters, played by Jeffery Wright, and his relationship with Leonard Chess. The lives of Etta James, played by Beyoncé Knowles, and Little Walter, played by Columbus Short, also are main points in the film. The main characters, of the film, also have interactions with, other Chess Records artists, such as, Howlin’ Wolf, played by Eamonn Walker, Willie Dixon, played by Cedric The Entertainer, and Chuck Berry, played by Mos Def. This film has a traditional film style, both in screenplay and execution. It is very enjoyable to watch. The actors involved also provide us with great renditions of blues songs.

Cadillac Records-Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QJyAXfG8NM

24 Hour Party People

This film is not traditional in screenplay or execution. Released in 2002, 24 Hour Party People chronicles, in a quirky way, events in the life of Factory Records founder, Tony Wilson, played by Steve Coogan. Even the sad events in this film are presented in a quirky way. The film may seem disjointed to some as throughout it we are given clips, of the real people who are being portrayed in the film, refuting what the actors, portraying them, just did in the scene. If you could understand this last sentence, you will understand and possibly like this film about a news reporter, who starts a record company, that brings Manchester’s Punk Music scene to the world. The film seems to have two sections. One where Wilson’s relationship with the band Joy Division is at forefront. In that section, the character of Wilson seems to be about artistic integrity. In the second section of the film, Wilson deals with financial problems at Factory and the band The Happy Mondays, who the film makes look like complete jerks. This film is quirky and has that dry British humor that so many love. If you like, that type of humor or early punk rock, you just may like this film.

24 Hour Party People- Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Qz2×94q6A

If you are a budding record producer, want to start your own label, or simply a fan of either musical genre represented, these films are must see. The acting in these two films, that are very different from each other, is of the highest quality. The two men represented in these films, although very different people, share the same role of being an outsider, who loved a type of music so much that they devoted their lives to it fully.

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