What role did Beyoncé play in the 2009 film Cadillac Records?

Beyoncé played singer Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, which had its wide U.S. release in 2008 and is often associated with the 2009 DVD release.

The film, written and directed by Darnell Martin, dramatizes the rise of Chess Records and the musicians connected with the label. Beyoncé’s role as James required her to portray the singer’s powerful blues and soul style. She recorded several songs for the project, including “At Last,” James’s signature song.

Cadillac Records also features Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and Columbus Short as Little Walter. The story combines historical figures and events with dramatized scenes, so it should not be treated as a documentary account of every detail.

A common mix-up is calling the film a 2009 release because some international listings and home-video coverage use that year. Its U.S. theatrical release was December 5, 2008. Beyoncé’s character, however, is unambiguously Etta James.