The Butler (2013)
Forest Whitaker is Cecil Gaines - a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades - in this chronicle of the American civil rights movements from director Lee Daniels (Precious). Features an all-star cast including Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson and Oprah Winfrey as Gaines' wife.
Based on the life of Eugene Allen, the story follows him from youth working on cotton farms to the top rank of butlers at the White House. During his tenure, Gaines witnesses the dramatic changes that swept American society from the civil rights movement to Vietnam.
- Director:
- Lee Daniels ('Precious', 'The Paperboy')
- Writer:
- Lee DanielsDanny Strong
- Cast:
- Forest WhitakerAlex PettyferJohn CusackRobin WilliamsJames MarsdenAlan RickmanCuba Gooding Jr.Liev SchreiberTerrence HowardVanessa RedgraveJane FondaMelissa LeoMinka KellyLenny KravitzJesse WilliamsMariah CareyOprah Winfrey
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksWhen first interviewed for the butler’s job, Cecil Gaines is informed: “We have no tolerance for politics at the White House.” Yes, it’s easy for cynics to sneer, but with every main character afforded some complexity, what could have been Civil Rights 101 from the daytime TV-movie school is nowhere near as black and white.
Variety
pressWhitaker digs in deep and gives a marvelous under-the-skin performance; he seems to catch the very essence of a man who has spent his whole life trying not to be seen.
Time Out
pressLook beyond the film's dewy-eyed, seemingly Wikipedia-sourced trappings and you'll see Daniels hasn't gone Oscar-bait-crazy.
The New York Times
pressA brilliantly truthful film on a subject that is usually shrouded in wishful thinking, mythmongering and outright denial.
The Guardian
pressA great film about the American civil rights movement is way overdue. The Butler, overwhelmed by flash and good intentions, doesn't even come close.
The Dissolve
pressIn its bid to sum up the black experience in America, loses sight of the man at the film's core.
The Age
pressA self-conscious, would-be historical drama that's too distracted by star cameos and domestic strife to be truly effective.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEven with all contrivances and obvious point-making and familiar historical signposting, [it's] always engaging, often entertaining and certainly never dull.
Empire Magazine
pressManipulative and preachy, The Butler is redeemed by a sensitive performance from Forest Whitaker and the undeniable power of the events it depicts.
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksWhen first interviewed for the butler’s job, Cecil Gaines is informed: “We have no tolerance for politics at the White House.” Yes, it’s easy for cynics to sneer, but with every main character afforded some complexity, what could have been Civil Rights 101 from the daytime TV-movie school is nowhere near as black and white.
Variety
pressWhitaker digs in deep and gives a marvelous under-the-skin performance; he seems to catch the very essence of a man who has spent his whole life trying not to be seen.
Time Out
pressLook beyond the film's dewy-eyed, seemingly Wikipedia-sourced trappings and you'll see Daniels hasn't gone Oscar-bait-crazy.
The New York Times
pressA brilliantly truthful film on a subject that is usually shrouded in wishful thinking, mythmongering and outright denial.
The Guardian
pressA great film about the American civil rights movement is way overdue. The Butler, overwhelmed by flash and good intentions, doesn't even come close.
The Dissolve
pressIn its bid to sum up the black experience in America, loses sight of the man at the film's core.
The Age
pressA self-conscious, would-be historical drama that's too distracted by star cameos and domestic strife to be truly effective.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEven with all contrivances and obvious point-making and familiar historical signposting, [it's] always engaging, often entertaining and certainly never dull.
Empire Magazine
pressManipulative and preachy, The Butler is redeemed by a sensitive performance from Forest Whitaker and the undeniable power of the events it depicts.
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