Beyoncé portrayed Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records.
The film, written and directed by Darnell Martin, dramatizes the history of Chess Records and several important blues and rhythm-and-blues musicians. Beyoncé’s role as James placed her alongside performers including Adrien Brody as record executive Leonard Chess and Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters.
Beyoncé recorded several songs associated with James for the film, including “At Last.” The performance helped introduce the song to a new generation, although the movie takes dramatic liberties with real events. Cadillac Records is not a complete biography of Etta James; it is an ensemble historical drama centered on the Chicago record label and its artists.