The Butler (2013) Movie Review

THE BUTLER (2013) MOVIE REVIEW

When I first watched the trailer for the movie, I assumed by the stellar cast and significant story that it would more than likely get nominated for an Academy Award. While I may have been wrong, it is still a damn fine film at that.

The Butler revolves around Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), a butler whom serves at the White House through the course of eight presidents. During this time, Cecil's life begins to be affected by his job as during many historic events, including the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war, his life, family and American society become affected as a result. One of the things that made this plot all the more engaging was the fact that all the events in this film actually occurred in real life, causing the audience, and myself included, more engaged and wanting to learn more throughout the film. While some people may criticise by saying that the plot has been done to death and that it seems unoriginal at this point. Myself however could not resist this temptation as I am just a sucker for anything related to the civil rights movement or know that I think about it, anything around the 1960's. Overall, I found the plot extremely interesting and caused me to look more into the events behind the story, which is of course never a negative in my books. 

Still of Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker

Like many people have said, the main reason that this film was really good was because of the cast and how their acting managed to nail the characters they were portraying. On the poster alone, the names mentioned include Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams and Clarence Williams III. When a movie poster can put 14 actors on it, you know that the cast must be the biggest aspect of the film. As for their characters, I felt that most of the actors managed to play their part up particularly well. Favourites amongst this stellar cast include Cuba Gooding Jr. as Carter Wilson, Cecil's first friend upon entering the White House. One of the reasons I liked this character so much was mainly because of Gooding Jr. as anything with him in it, I will be instantly hooked as I just love him as an actor, and here his dramatic and charismatic sides show. Another actor I loved in this film was James Marsden portraying President John F. Kennedy, just seeing Cyclops from X-Men as President for some reasons just brought a smile to my face, that and he was actually really good in the role. I felt he nailed the expressions and attributes that Kennedy was known for before his assassination. While the cast was incredible, I felt that certain characters were under utilized and I would have liked to explore their thoughts and struggles a little more. Two men who come to mind are Terrence Howard as Howard and Robin Williams as President Eisenhower. In terms of Howard, I felt he was not used very much as it seemed that he was only in the scenes he was in for the simple fact that it needed comedic relief. This was fine until we see him standing on his porch, and then the film immediately jumps to the next scene and we never see him again. As for Eisenhower, their were many more things that could have been done with this iconic president, though while I am not feeling as strongly as this as Howard, I still feel they could have utilized him a little more. 

Still of Forest Whitaker and Cuba Gooding Jr. 

Throughout the film, many significant events occur that really did change the entire course of American history. The way that these events were handled on-screen I felt were exceptionally good. Some of these events include the civil rights movement, in which they showed the hardships that these black people went through during these difficult times. One of the reasons I liked this part was, and not to sound like a terrible person, because of the fact that they showed all the violence and didn't cut anything out. Lee Daniels must have really been going for a cringe worthy experience and in this film, I think he may have done it all too well. Another historical and infamous event was the assassination of John F. Kennedy in which here, all they show is Kennedy before he leaves the White House and the next scene, it shows Cecil crying in the kitchen over his tragic death. Just the way this part was handled was extremely good as they never actually show the assassination and they simply explain it as it just happened in a heartbeat, which is why it jumps to the next scene instantaneously. While not a specific event, another aspect that I felt was handled very well was the transition from president to president as each of their final scenes, whether it be Kennedy, Nixon or Eisenhower, are with them conversing with Cecil. This dynamic I found very interesting and direct as it shows how this butler actually did spark a new age for America as a country. It also shows how these much these presidents do actually care about their employees. This is shown further with Kennedy and Nixon's goodbye respectively, which I won't spoil what happens in the scenes as I found it compelling and quite touching to say the least.  

Still of John Cusack, James Marsden and Robin Williams
portraying President Nixon, Kennedy and Eisenhower respectively

Overall, while The Butler may have been shunned by various critics due to it's slow pacing and awkward introductions, I personally found the film compelling, interesting and just an inspiring film. Although it isn't one of my favourites this year, the movie still is a damn fine one at that. 

OVERALL: 7.4/10