The Butler

The Butler

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/16/13

Reviewed 8/20/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, Michigan

with Gary and Denny

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System 

Gary and my dad thought this film was closer to a 4. But what did, or didn't do, it for me was the fact it was called The Butler. I wanted the movie to show more of the butler and his life at the White House. While they did show some, it was really more about his life outside his job and a lot of what was happening with his son. It should have been titled "The Butler's Son." Don't get me wrong, it was really good and amazing acting with Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker, but I think I was expecting more of that aspect of the story.

Cecil Gaines (Whitaker) has disturbing childhood memories that involved his father and mother. This sets up Cecil being brought out of the fields in to the house as a child to work in the owner's home and sets into motion his future. He leaves that home, works through the system perfecting his services as a butler and playing non-existent to those he was serving.

Along the way, he marries Gloria (Winfrey) and they have two sons who eventually take very different paths. Meanwhile, Cecil has an opportunity to interview for a butler position at the White House. He begins his job with Eisenhower and works his way through Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. Most notably, James Marsden plays JFK and Jane Fonda as Nancy Raegan. Quick little interchanges with each President are portrayed and this is where I was looking for more.

All of the horrific racial injustices are shown through each of the President's terms and while there's gradual progress, it is hard to imagine what occurred not that long ago. The Gaines youngest goes into serving in the military during Vietnam and the oldest is led to the causes to fight racial divides and ends up in jail over and over. He is involved in some pretty significant battles that help make change. Gloria and Cecil dispute over their son's choices and involvements which eventually come full circle. Cecil retires under President Reagan, always the mild-mannered, poised gentleman throughout his career and retirement is no different. At the conclusion, the joyous Cecil embraces the victory of President Obama and is tickled about being invited as a visitor to 1600 Penn where he spent all those years serving. The Butler is a lovely movie with some sadness, silliness, and even some brutality that makes you wonder how our country could have been that way. But it has enough tender moments that make this a for sure "go see".

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJj