Back Rowe Reviews
Real Time Movie Reviews from the Back Row of a Theater

Lee Daniels' The Butler (PG-13)

tt1327773
Directed by: Lee Daniels
Starring: Forest Whitaker
August 2013

This review was originally tweeted in Real-time from the back row of a movie theater and appears @BackRoweReviews. Though efforts were made to tease rather than ruin this movie’s memorable lines and moments, some spoilers may exist in the following evaluation. The original tweets appear in black, while follow-up comments appear in red. For concerns over objectionable content, please first refer to one of the many parental movie guide websites. All ratings are based on a four star system. Happy reading!

Pasted Graphic 17

Off to the shed...this can’t end well.
After all, chickens tend to loose their heads there.

“The law was against us.” A sad commentary of our past.

“We don’t tolerate politics in the White House.” Ironic.
And highly dubious.

Cusack hands out pins. Awkward scene.
An interesting casting choice for Nixon, but an unexpectedly fine performance by Cusack.

The restaurant scene is unbearable...awful beyond words. Inhuman treatment.

Freedom bus takes a wrong turn in ‘bama.
Another gut-wrenching scene.

A tie from one prez and a tie clip from another. Priceless gifts.

Butlers are subversive...interesting viewpoint.
The central thesis of the movie.

Invited to a state dinner...movin’ on up.

“You’ve served your country well.” A statement normally reserved for those in the military. A nice moment.

“I know the way!” You tell him.

Final analysis: rough subject matter at times, but an exceptionally well made/acted film.
The ending is a puff piece for President Obama. The slant here is painfully obvious.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars. Should be plenty of Oscar nods for this one.

The only drawback here is that the film feels like a documentary at times, reciting the major moments of butler Gaines’ life and career in a fairly straightforward manner…and the “true story” factor does little to discourage this observation. The politics of the film could also serve as a debit depending on which camp you belong to. However, this is an important film that confronts us with an ugly chapter of human history from the not-too-distant past. Story aside, Whitaker seems well positioned for another Oscar nod for his truly fine performance here.