Lee Daniels' The Butler

[Brian in Mesa]

Lee Daniels' The Butler

Release Date: August 16, 2013
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Director: Lee Daniels
Screenwriter: Danny Strong
Genre: Biography, Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Website: WeinsteinCo.com

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Minka Kelly, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Leo, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams

Plot Summary: "Lee Daniels' The Butler" tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. Forest Whitaker stars as the butler with Robin Williams as Dwight Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson, and many more. Academy Award® nominated Lee Daniels ("Precious") directs and co-wrote the script with Emmy®-award winning Danny Strong ("Game Change").

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[Absolute Zero]

This looks pretty awesome. Hope to see it this weekend

 

[crisper57]

It looks really good, but for some reason, I have absolutely zero desire to see it. Can't figure out why the previews aren't speaking to me.

 

[Mulli]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9567848/the-butler-kick-ass-2

The march from one administration to the next — and from one dreadful casting choice to another — starts to feel promiscuous, from a dotty Eisenhower (Robin Williams) to a petite and dashing JFK (James Marsden) to a brash LBJ (Liev Schreiber) to a soppy Nixon (John Cusack) and a moony Ronald Reagan (Alan Rickman). Cecil interacts with each president, but he's written as a bystander for too much of the movie. Whitaker wears a short brown rug on his head and too much makeup (the movie is so far from Eugene Allen's life that he really doesn't have to look like anyone specific, so why not have him look like Forest Whitaker?), but the quick emotional flashes that are the key to Whitaker's acting don't arrive. The performance is merely steady, like two hours watching a pilot light.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Just got back from this. It was amazing. I can't disagree more with the Grantland review.

This movie's focus isn't upon the various Presidents. Its the inspiring life story of a man who began his life in poverty on a farm in Macon, Georgia. It is a heartwrenching story that's intertwines with our own country's turbulent history. Its about a man who quietly lived his life and played by the rules and his relationship with his son who broke all of rules. And its about how both ended up as heroes. Amazing.

 

[Mulli]

Just heard this has a completely unnecessary voiceover so I will pass. I can't stand that.

 

[Bert]

Just heard this has a completely unnecessary voiceover so I will pass. I can't stand that.

Your voiceover is completely unnecessary, but we still love you Mulli.

 

[Mulli]

Your voiceover is completely unnecessary, but we still love you Mulli.

Good point.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Just heard this has a completely unnecessary voiceover so I will pass. I can't stand that.

I believe the voiceover is just at the beginning when "Cecil" is talking about growing up. I didn't even remember that until I saw it in this review. http://www.laweekly.com/2013-08-15/film-tv/the-butler-forest-whitaker-lee-daniels/

 

[crisper57]

Why the hell do directors have to think they are bigger than the movie?

Lee Daniels' "The Butler"

Tyler Perry Presents "Madea Sucks"

Transformers a film by Michael Bay

Just buy a shiny sports car like the rest of the men with self esteem issues.

 

[Chaplin]

Why the hell do directors have to think they are bigger than the movie?

Lee Daniels' "The Butler"

Tyler Perry Presents "Madea Sucks"

Transformers a film by Michael Bay

Just buy a shiny sports car like the rest of the men with self esteem issues.

For Bay and Perry, it's because the name sells. That's all. Most of the time it's the studio marketing executives that decide to put that there, not the director's themselves.

You think Spielberg and Scorsese base their movies on having their name above the title? No way--they don't even care, since they already know the studio will do it anyway.

As for Daniels, my guess is after the debacle about the title and the copyright battle they fought, they had to add the Lee Daniels to satisfy the lawyers.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

it does seem goofy at times, but it's typically marketing

I honestly don't even think they put real names on Tyler Perry movies - I've yet to hear anyone actually say the name of a Tyler Perry movie in a real conversation ...... it's usually "this weekend I rented one of the Tyler Perry movies" or the answer to what movie you are going to see is "The Avengers or That Tyler Perry Movie"

His next movie should honestly be called just that - That Tyler Perry Movie

 

[Mulli]

I am an idiot. I need to learn to shut my pie hole before I see a movie.


I really really liked this movie. The voice over thing is not a big deal at all. Neither is the title. Good show, and I highly recommend it.

 

[Mulli]

Lyla Garritty as Jackie O: hilarious and terrible. The guy cast as JFK: meh. Nixon and Reagan: excellent.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I am an idiot. I need to learn to shut my pie hole before I see a movie.


I really really liked this movie. The voice over thing is not a big deal at all. Neither is the title. Good show, and I highly recommend it.

The scene I can't get out of my mind was the lunch counter scene and the training that the activists went through the training to get ready for all the hatred they were going to encounter. Amazing how those young people put their lives and futures in peril for their cause.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

It looks really good, but for some reason, I have absolutely zero desire to see it. Can't figure out why the previews aren't speaking to me.

I'm with you Crisper. I'm sure this film will be a multiple Oscar nominee, but I have no desire to see it.

 

[Mulli]

The scene I can't get out of my mind was the lunch counter scene and the training that the activists went through the training to get ready for all the hatred they were going to encounter. Amazing how those young people put their lives and futures in peril for their cause.

Yep! And Forest Whitaker was perfect in this show. I couldn't believe Oprah was actually subtle, despite a few scenes that they could have easily gone over the top.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Yep! And Forest Whitaker was perfect in this show. I couldn't believe Oprah was actually subtle, despite a few scenes that they could have easily gone over the top.

I am expecting both of them to get Oscar nominations. The film will get nominated for best picture as well.

I was watching some deal on the 50th anniversary of the "March on Washington" yesterday. They showed how many of the Hollywood stars of the day were organized and participated in the March. It included some folks like Charlton Heston, Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando, and others.

I mention this just to point out how "Hollywood" loves the story of the civil rights struggle. I presume that carries over to the Academy which will dole out multiple nominations for this film.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I recently watched it.

I am an idiot. I need to learn to shut my pie hole before I see a movie.


I really really liked this movie. The voice over thing is not a big deal at all. Neither is the title. Good show, and I highly recommend it.

I'm glad you changed your mind. The person who wrote the review you posted is an idiot. Probably just trying to create controversy.

This film was incredible. A walk through White House history from Cecil's perspective...wow. What a story. Especially along with the parallel story of his son.