| Language: | English |
| Director: | Lee Daniels |
| Music: | Rodrigo Leão |
| Budget: | $30 million |
| Runtime: | 2h 12m |
Lee Daniels’ The Butler is a 2013 American historical drama directed and co-produced by Lee Daniels, featuring a screenplay by Danny Strong. The film draws inspiration from Wil Haygood’s Washington Post article, “A Butler Well Served by This Election.”
Loosely based on the real-life story of Eugene Allen, who served in the White House for decades, the film stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an African American butler who witnesses significant political and social changes throughout his 34-year career. The impressive ensemble cast includes Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Nelsan Ellis, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Minka Kelly, Elijah Kelley, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, and Clarence Williams III. This film marked the final production by Laura Ziskin, who passed away on June 12, 2011, as well as the last screen appearance of Clarence Williams III, who retired from acting in 2018 and died on June 4, 2021. Released theatrically by the Weinstein Company on August 16, 2013, the film received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising the performances while noting issues with historical accuracy. It was a commercial success, grossing over $177 million worldwide against a budget of $30 million.
The Butler Movie Screenshot
The Butler Movie Story
In 2009, as he waited at the White House to meet the newly elected president, an elderly Cecil Gaines tells his life story. Sharecroppers raised him on a cotton plantation in Macon, Georgia, where the owner raped his mother, Hattie, when he was seven years old in 1926; Earl, his father, confronts him and dies. Cecil is taken in by the elderly matron of the estate, who teaches him how to work as a housekeeper.
At the age of 18, Cecil leaves the plantation in 1937. He breaks into a hotel pastry shop out of desperation. He gets a job from the elderly master servant Maynard out of compassion. Maynard teaches Cecil advanced interpersonal and serving skills, and he later recommends Cecil for a hotel job in Washington, D.C. Cecil meets Gloria and weds her while working there. The couple has two sons, Louis and Charlie. Cecil is hired by the White House in 1957, during the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower. He is introduced to head butler Carter Wilson and coworker James Holloway by White House maître d’hôtel Freddie Fallows. Cecil observes Eisenhower’s hesitation to employ troops to enforce school desegregation and his determination to uphold the law by racially integrating Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas.
The Butler Movie Review
The Butler is a powerful film that I believe every American should see. It effectively immerses the audience in the experiences of the Black community during various phases of a racially divided America. The film does not shy away from depicting the violence, disrespect, prejudicial attitudes, and limited legal protections faced by the Black community, yet it also conveys a message of hope for change.
It vividly illustrates the progression of the civil rights movement, highlighting the evolving societal and political attitudes across different presidential administrations. The film is exceptionally well-written, directed, and acted, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. I highly recommend watching it.
The Butler Movie Bollyflix YouTube Trailer
The Butler Movie Trailer
FAQ About The Butler Movie
Q1 – Who Directed The Butler Movie?
A -Lee Daniels
Q2-What Genre Is The Butler Movie?
A-History Drama
Q3-Lead Cast of The Butler Movie?
A-Forest Whitaker
Q4- Rating Of The Butler Movie?
A-13+