Film Review -- Lee Daniels' The Butler

Directed by Lee Daniels, the film stars Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, and a slew of other stars in cameos. Loosely inspired by the life of Eugene Allen, it tells the story of Cecil Gaines (Whitaker), who worked as a butler in the White House under eight presidents. Born on a cotton plantation in 1919, a young Cecil is taught to serve by his first master, Annabeth Westfall (Vanessa Redgrave). After escaping the plantation, he winds up working as a waitor at a hotel in North Carolina, and then is offered a much better job at a fancy hotel in Washington, D.C. He settles down in the city with his wife, Gloria (Winfrey), and two sons. One day, after serving a White House official, he is offered a job as a butler in the most important house in the country. Over the span of thirty years, he witnesses up close some of the most significant events in American history, from President Eisenhower (Robin Williams) sending troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to President Kennedy (James Marsden) pledging his support for Civil Rights, to President Johnson (Liev Schrieber) signing the Civil Rights Act, to President Nixon (John Cusack) deciding to resign. He also sees his son Louis (Olyelowo) become a Freedom Rider and an important figure in the Civil Rights movement, his younger son Charlie (Elijah Kelley) shipped off to Vietnam. It is definitely a lot of material to pack into a two-hour film, and that is the film's central flaw. There is no room for elaboration or deeper analysis of situations that deserve to be examined more closely. Even so, the film boasts some very strong performances, specifically from Whitaker and Winfrey. Look for them to get Oscar nominations later on. The ensemble cast is filled with major stars, and they do a great job in their small but significant roles. In all, the film is a powerful look at not only one man's journey, but an entire nation's journey through the social demonstrations, civil rights movements, and anti-war calls that shaped twentieth-century America. It is often hard to watch, but you can't help but look.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-