Lee Daniels’ The Butler Review
RYAN: Lee Daniels’ The Butler is the latest from the acclaimed director of Precious. It’s his best and it’s about the civil rights movement and racism in America, as relates to the story of a butler in The White House over decades. It’s really a history lesson about equality.
ANGIE: This film is interesting because while I thought I could not personally relate to the characters, I felt like I was a part of it and a part of them. I was really drawn in. The casting and acting are amazing.
RYAN: It’s tough to watch at times because we know what happens in this movie was real. This is our nation’s history and it’s shameful but important to revisit and tell. It’s almost like watching a war movie.
ANGIE: I agree. It’s weird because I feel sad walking out of this movie. It’s not a feel good movie, but I’m so glad I saw it.
RYAN: That being said, there is an uplift as well. I don’t want to give spoilers but I wasn’t feeling so sad by the end. There are certainly disturbing things happening in the film, but it does update a bit where things have improved somewhat. Still, it is a hard movie to watch at times.
ANGIE: It evokes certain feelings about the life cycle in general. This isn’t just a racial movie to me. It’s a human movie. It really touched me deeply.
RYAN: There are still civil rights and equality issues being dealt with today. It’s a frustrating, ongoing battle for certain people to be treated fairly in this country. But let’s talk about the performances. Forest Whitaker as the titular Butler is fantastic and carries this film. Oprah is the big coup casting because she rarely appears in film and, well, she’s Oprah. She was nominated for an Oscar for The Color Purple and she has another moment in this film, in addition to an overall strong performance, so anything is possible. It only takes a moment.
ANGIE: She didn’t capture my attention because she’s Oprah. She captured it because she’s phenomenal in this movie. This film spans years and the actors were believable at every age. It was amazing to see.
RYAN: And the supporting roles were interestingly cast. I loved seeing James Marsden as President Kennedy.
ANGIE: John Cusack will always be on the top of my list. He was Nixon in this and that was cool.
RYAN: And I love, love Jane Fonda as Nancy and Professor Snape, Alan Rickman, as President Reagen. He was a bit of a stretch because he was doing his best American accent; a bit of a stretch.
ANGIE: He was still Snape to me.
RYAN: Reagan has a specific voice and he didn’t nail it. None of these actors were doing an impression. They put their own spin on each character. But Reagan was the one where I wanted more Reagan.
ANGIE: I’ll say it again – it was Snape playing Ronald Reagan.
RYAN: Oh – Mariah Carey was seen but not heard. This so random but appropriate since she’s an actress about as good as Madonna.
ANGIE: [laughs’ I barely noticed her.
RYAN: David Oyelowo was very good in a very pivotal role. This movie touches upon events we’re aware of in our nation’s history and makes it feel so profound – sometimes inspiring, sometimes appalling – but always dramatic and interesting.
ANGIE: There was a very touching moment between the butler and Caroline Kennedy which really struck a chord with me. It speaks to the innocence of childhood.
RYAN: There are a lot of themes touched upon with relationships between family, neighbors, co-workers, lovers… good subplots.
ANGIE: This movie reminded me of Forrest Gump in the sense it follows someone through history but in this case, it’s based on a real person.
RYAN: Right – they change the names, some details and facts in the film but it is certainly inspired by a real person. The movie portrays the period setting so well. It looks like the 60’s and 70’s and 80’s – the costumes and make-up and hair.
ANGIE: There was one scene in they living room with their TV and all of the decor… it was perfect. It was like The Brady Bunch to the n’th degree.
RYAN: And the music always matches too. It helps the story along. I like this movie better than The Paperboy and Precious. It’s really Daniels’ best film. It’s an important film worth seeing.
