The Butler (2013)

M
2013
|
132 mins
Trailer
Poster for The Butler (2013)

Forest Whitaker is Cecil Gaines - a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades - in... More

Where to watch The Butler (2013)

The Butler (2013) is available to stream in New Zealand... More now on Apple TV Store.

The Butler (2013) | Ratings & Reviews

"When 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."

Flicks, Adam FrescoFlicks

"Whitaker 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."

VarietyVariety

"Look beyond the film's dewy-eyed, seemingly Wikipedia-sourced trappings and you'll see Daniels hasn't gone Oscar-bait-crazy."

Time OutTime Out

"A brilliantly truthful film on a subject that is usually shrouded in wishful thinking, mythmongering and outright denial."

The New York TimesThe New York Times

"A 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 GuardianThe Guardian

"In its bid to sum up the black experience in America, loses sight of the man at the film's core."

The DissolveThe Dissolve

"A self-conscious, would-be historical drama that's too distracted by star cameos and domestic strife to be truly effective."

The AgeThe Age

"Even with all contrivances and obvious point-making and familiar historical signposting, [it's] always engaging, often entertaining and certainly never dull."

Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter

"Manipulative and preachy, The Butler is redeemed by a sensitive performance from Forest Whitaker and the undeniable power of the events it depicts."

Empire MagazineEmpire Magazine