The Butler Movie Review with Commentary from Director Lee Daniels and actor Forest Whitaker

Posted On 13 Aug 2013

The Butler is a movie adaptation of real life butler Eugene Allen, who is played by the film star Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an African-American who eyewitnesses notable events of the 20th century during his 34-year tenure serving the White House and several presidents. I couldn’t say what I expected to walk into with this movie, with a star studded cast including; Forest Whitaker, Oprah, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, David Oyelowo, Mariah Carey, Jane Fonda and many more… it’s hard to tell if they can come together and the movie will have it’s own merit.

I’m proud and happy to say that this movie stands on it’s own 2 feet and is definitely a must see. The Butler is more than a movie that depicts the Civil Rights struggle, it tells a story of a man who battles through adversity, raises a family, is a husband and his growth. While the film does show many serious and thought provoking moments in history we’re also able to witness love, comedy and shed a few tears. I know I cried several times during the film, it’s hard as a black woman not to remember where we’ve come and realize that there is still a long way to go. When the movie ended you almost had to sit there and take it all in a moment of reflection, I was blessed to have the opportunity to ask Director Lee Daniels and Forest Whitaker what they hoped the audience would gain from this film and experience. We have the footage below with other questions from that Q & A Session. We recommend that anyone and everyone see this movie whether it be for a date night or family night, there is a story to be told and lesson to be learned. Also, I have to say Oprah Winfrey was serving so much LIFE in this movie, her character Gloria Gaines was a firecracker and definitely made me laugh throughout the film.