MOVIE REVIEW - The Butler

Super actor Forest Whitaker is back this week in a very interesting story about a real life man named Cecil Gaines. Gaines was a popular White House butler that served U.S. Presidents for over 30 years from the late 1950's to the mid 1980's. This is based on a true story.

First off, Whitaker is an Oscar-winning actor, and he is sensational in this bio-pic.  In fact, he is so good, without him, this would more than likely fall flat.  He gives this movie a much needed boost, to certainly compliment a story premise that we have never seen before, so the premise gets big time originality points.  

Gaines was raised in rural Georgia on a cotton farm in the 1920's, essentially it was still a slave situation.  His father was murdered by he farm owner, and Gaines is left to fend for himself.  The old woman who runs the farm takes the 10 year old Gaines into the house, and teaches him the art of "serving".  Learning to be house servant.  As Gaines ages, he decides to leave the farm. 

He uses his skills to get jobs at various hotels, eventually ending up in Washington D.C.  He then is spotted and is offered a job as one of the 6 White House butlers to serve the Eisenhower Administration.   From then he serves 8 presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan. The things he goes through and sees is really interesting stuff.   A rare glimpse deep inside the White House that we never see.  Very compelling.

But running parallel to this story, is the story of his oldest son Louis, as he grows up in the 1960's and 70's.  He is a major player in the Civil Rights Movement constantly putting his life on the line, and having a value system that seems to be at odds with his father.   Two different visions on what the movement should look like.   Something's got to give.   This movie focuses heavily on this conflict, and what it does to himself, and his family.   Maybe too much.

The premise for this is so great, it was a bit disappointing to see this splintered off so much.   In the premises defense, I think Cecil Gaines is far more interesting as a man than he is portrayed in this movie.   As this goes on, it takes many turns, and makes loud, and not so subtle political statements that many will embrace, and others will find contrary to what they believe. It becomes apparent that this wonderful premise is being used as a platform for something else altogether.   For me, I wish this would have been more about Gaines, the man, the deep man.  He really was some kind of man, I am sorry we don't get all of him.

Whitaker is sensational as Gaines.   I loved his huge performance, and his wonderful narration throughout.  This is again Oscar-worthy stuff.  This also has a strong supporting cast with Oprah Winfrey as Cecil's wife.  She is good, but not great.  This also stars, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams, John Cusack and many others in small roles that have them playing characters you may not suspect. That was a great idea and it works.

Much of his is very original, and some of this is powerful and compelling.  Sadly, as good as much of this is, I think it wavers way too far off of the advertised course in trailers, and becomes something very different than you are expecting when you walked in.   I also think this may be a victim of a bit of over-hype, as that can be tough to live up to.

The Butler.  Great premise. The final product good, but a golden opportunity lost to be totally a one-of-a-kind.