Lee Daniels’ The Butler (1/14/2014)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material, thematic elements and smoking.

Starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alan Rickman, Robin Williams, and John Cusack

Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious)

An eye-opening glimpse into racism in America through the 20th Century.

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.

TODD’S WORD: I really enjoyed the film, but I can’t help but wonder why they fictionalized it? Eugene Allen was a butler who served eight American presidents. His true story must be fascinating. Why the writer and director choose to fictionalize his story is a mystery to me. In fact they made it feel more like Forest Gump and less like biopic.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I also found that intriguing, but I don’t think it took anything away from the film. I didn’t know anything about Eugene Allen or the true story behind the movie, so I wasn’t disappointed to discover this was a fictionalized tale.

My guess is the writers wanted to present a story, not just of this man in the white house, but one that encompassed many of the horrors African Americans faced in the 20th century.

TODD’S WORD: I would encourage everyone to take some time to read an article or two about Eugene Allen and his family.

But, yes, that aside, let’s discuss the movie.

First of all, the cast is superb. From Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey to Alan Rickman, Robin Williams, and John Cusack, everyone brings their A-game. And it was great seeing Cuba Gooding Jr. finally in a good role after a very long time.

JONATHAN’S WORD: What? You didn’t like Snow Dogs?

Yes, the cast was amazing. Forest Whitaker is always good. No surprise there. And I really enjoyed seeing Oprah back on the silver screen. I remember her great performance in The Color Purple.

TODD’S WORD: The Butler moves at a good pace. And it needs to, because it covers 70 plus years and some very significant events in our nation’s history.

JONATHAN’S WORD: The filmmakers tackled a daunting task. They covered almost a century, exposing some of our country’s ugliest moments, all through the eyes of imperfect, but likable, characters.

As a Caucasian, I think it’s good for me to see films like this and be reminded of our not-so-distant past. The film was heart wrenching, but worth every minute.

TODD’S WORD: I agree. The film was definitely worth watching, and as far as I’m concerned it’s “theater worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The atmosphere of the movie is highly somber and infrequently intense. There are several scenes revolving around violence and hate crimes that are difficult to watch and very emotional.

Early in the film, a young child sees his mother dragged off into a shed to be raped and shortly after this, his father shot right in front of him.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. The film begins with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that reads, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” What do you think he meant by that?


2. What was some of the “darkness” we saw in the film?


3. How did the butler demonstrate “light”?


4. Read 1 Peter 3:9
   
   Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God’s chosen ones, and he will bless you.
   
   
5. Whom are some of the people who “hate” you or mistreated you?


6. How can you be “light” and treat those who mistreat you with kindness this week?