Lee Daniels' The Butler (Blu-ray)

I used to think a bit less of this film because of the numerous changes made to the life of Eugene Allen, the real-life butler whom this is all based on. I just assumed these changes were made under the name of "artistic license" to add more drama to the story. Then I read The Butler: A Witness to History, including director Lee Daniels's forward and I now understand the man's reasons for making the changes he made. While Daniels wanted to tell the story of a man who selflessly worked as a butler in the White House for thirty-four years, serving under eight U.S. Presidents from Truman to Reagan, he also wanted to tell the story of what was simultaneously going on outside of the White House...mainly the Civil Rights era. Having read the forward in the book, I now understand this and the fact that, in order to tie it all together, changes had to be made. I consequently like the movie a lot more than I once did. Forest Whitaker was by far my favorite in the film, playing Cecil Gaines, Eugene Allen's film counterpart. He played the character with a quiet self-confidence that Allen surely possessed in life. I thought it was a bit cliché for him to have personal conversations with many of the Presidents, but Whitaker's subtle ability to draw in an audience in made it work. I admit I wasn't sure about the casting of Oprah Winfrey as Whitaker's wife, but she did well. The older of their sons, played by David Oyelowo, was a portal for his family, and the audience, to see the struggles going on throughout the nation, especially in the South, as people fought for Civil Rights. You could see the conflict between father and son...it all felt genuine and that made the ending between them all the more satisfying. The second son, played by Elijah Kelley, was there just so there could be a second son. But he served one purpose, which was to illustrate a second conflict going on at the time. I knew nothing about either of these actors before they played these boys, but I was quite impressed by both of them. Another person who really impressed me was Aml Ameen, who played Cecil Gaines at age 15. The scene of his time at the café or diner or whatever it was was perhaps my favorite in the film. As for the other supporting characters, this film featured a cast of all-stars. I did find it weird to see Robin Williams never crack a joke anywhere in a movie he was in, but he played a fine Dwight D. Eisenhower...in fact, I didn't see Robin Williams at all...I only saw Eisenhower. Same goes for John Qusack, who disappeared into his role as Richard Nixon. James Marsden once commented on all the Oscars and nominees he played alongside, but he can stand proudly among these folks as he was a fine John F. Kennedy. In the end, everyone who played a historical figure did a great job. My favorite among this crowd would have to be Robin Williams as Eisenhower. As for the fictional supporting characters, Cuba Gooding, Jr., was my favorite, but he didn't get nearly the amount of screen time he deserved. The story was great as well. As I've explained, I've changed my mind and really do like it as opposed to the first time I saw it in theaters. There was never a dull moment throughout and many cast members, such as Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey, really surprised me, doing much better than I would have guessed. I fully recommend this film as it delivers a worthwhile plot from beginning to end...and the final line will make you laugh and just smile right afterward because both Forest Whitaker and Cecil Gaines totally deserved to say that line after everything they had been through. I suppose my final solace with this film is that Eugene Allen's family also liked it. I do wish that the great man himself could have gotten a chance to see it, but that will never be. But you should definitely see this film and you should also read The Butler: A Witness to History...everything is put into much greater prospective. Enjoy.

Really enjoyed the movie

This is truly an excellent movie...and I think it was very tastefully done!!!! I enjoy movies that are based on a "True Story". I was born in 1960 up North, so I didn't experience the racial oppression that so many others lived through during their life in the Southern States. I am glad to have this movie in my library. It brings things more to life than just what I learned about in History class during my early years of schooling. I just viewed it last night and I was amazed to learn (from one man's perspective) what he experienced, how his family was affected by his life as a Butler, especially during a time of depression and when people of color was discriminated against on so many levels...and yes, he even experienced racism in the White House. Many people of color suffered and paved the way so that we can have the right to equality...and for this sacrifice, I say, "Thank You" to all of the pioneers that gave of themselves, their demonstration of courage and the sacrifice of their lives for our civil rights...and to those that fought in ANY War...I extend my heartfelt appreciation...Thank You for Serving! While I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion...after reading the reviews, I almost did not purchase this movie, but I'm so glad that I did. There is much that happened and was swept under the rug during that era and some of us wouldn't have a clue unless someone told the story, wrote a book...or perhaps, made a movie. I have no buyers regrets on this purchase...I hope it wins an Oscar!!!!

Lee Daniel’s the ButlerRated PG-13.How propitious that this powerful drama, based on an article in the Washington Post (http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-11-07/politics/36906532_1_white-house-black-man-history), was released during the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech! The film’s black butler Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) may be a fictionalized version of the real Eugene Allen, but the events he witnessed, inside and outside the White House, are true, indeed historic, including Pres. Eisenhower’s sending in troops to protect the students integrating the Little Rock High School; the Kennedys and the Freedom Riders; the Selma March and Pres. Johnson’s “We Shall Overcome” speech; the Mississippi Summer Feedom Project; the urban riots following the murder of Dr. King; and much, much more. Every person of faith should see this film and discuss it with others. White and African American pastors should seek each other out and see if their congregations are willing to meet together and talk about the issues raised. Some of the conversations the black characters have among themselves will surprise many whites about their assumptions and views, one example being how acclaimed actor Sidney Poittier is perceived. It is so good to see a film in which the story of blacks is told without bringing in on an equal basis a white character to share the star credits. Oh yes, the constellation of famous whites playing the supporting roles has garnered lots of attention, but essentially this is an African American story told by African Americans!

Muy interesante peli. La vi en la tele y quería tenerla. No se qué más decir. Es pesado tener que hacer estos comentarios, debería bastar con las estrellitas de puntuación

very good movie

Excellent Movie

Ein schwarzer Mann schenkt 30 Jahre lang US-Präsidenten Tee und Kaffee ein, während die Rassendiskriminierung die politische Agenda mitbestimmt. Das bewegende Drama "Der Butler" basiert auf dem Leben von Eugene Allen, der vor seinem Tod im Jahr 2010 noch die Wahl des ersten Afroamerikaners zum US-Präsidenten erleben konnte. Regisseur Lee Daniels ("Precious", "The Paperboy") lässt den langen Weg von der Befreiung bis zur gesellschaftlichen Gleichstellung der Schwarzen in Amerika Revue passieren. Er widmet seinen Film den Mitgliedern der Bürgerrechtsbewegung – genau 50 Jahre nach dem Marsch auf Washington und der berühmten Rede von Martin Luther King Jr., „I have a dream".Die dienende Funktion des Cecil Gaines spiegelt die bis in die zweite Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts verbreitete Rollenverteilung zwischen Weißen und Schwarzen. Der Butler widerspricht niemals, auch wenn er noch so diskriminierende Ansichten hört. Wie Gaines mit diesem inneren Zwiespalt umgeht, gehört zu den spannendsten Elementen des Dramas. Sein Sohn Louis repräsentiert die nächste Generation, die für gleiche Rechte kämpft. Indem der Film aus diesen historischen Strängen einen exemplarischen Familienkonflikt macht, verdeutlicht er die individuelle Bürde des alltäglichen Rassismus."Der Butler" bietet auch einen Streifzug durch die jüngere Geschichte des Weißen Hauses in anekdotisch geraffter Form. Die Präsidenten Eisenhower (Robin Williams), Kennedy (James Marsden), Johnson (Liev Schreiber), Nixon (John Cusack) und Reagan (Alan Rickman) werden als Individuen sichtbar. Der Film versteht es, sie aufschlussreich und zum Teil witzig in der Komunikation mit dem Butler zu charakterisieren, den sie als Repräsentanten der schwarzen Bevölkerung manchmal um seine Meinung fragen.Das hervorragend gespielte Drama blickt auf die präsidentiellen Epochen mit beinahe ehrfürchtiger Nostalgie. Der weit gespannte Erinnerungsbogen fährt stets einen versöhnlichen Kurs. Auch jenseits des Atlantiks entfaltet dieses gelungene Gesellschaftschronik noch eine große emotionale Kraft.Fazit: Das bewegende, hochkarätig besetzte Drama "Der Butler" zeichnet den schwierigen Weg der afroamerikanischen Emanzipation aus der Sicht eines Mannes nach, der sieben US-Präsidenten diente.

We quite enjoyed it, partly because it is based on a true story, and partly because it reveals the earth-shattering events taking place in those years. I am a Canadian, but was a seminary student at Springfield IL during some of those years. Students from our school boycotted one restaurant until they agreed to treat black students as they did the whites. But I never saw the violence that I know took place elsewhere.I recommend the movie for an in-depth look at the horrors of racism.