Well, it is Oscar season so naturally we should expect everything to become a little bit more sentimental. Although the theme of survival is usually prevalent at the Oscar ceremony, it is a little more obvious this year. The films that are hoping to take that Best Film Oscar home are, at their essence, human survival films, Captain Phillips, Gravity, All is Lost, 12 Years a Slave, even the Butler.
Sure, Lee Daniels’ The Butler isn’t exactly focusing on the 1960’s Civil Rights movement, but it is entirely aware that you cannot tell a story based on a African-American butler based in the White House without dealing with Civil Rights. The fact that Daniels’ Butler even makes it off the Plantation he was born on is a testament to human survival, the fact that he succeeds at his chosen career makes the entire story bittersweet.
The Butler is based on the true story of Eugene Allen, a young African-American man who took up a position in the White House which he kept for 34 years. However, it should be noted that the story is loosely based on his life. Allen’s son, in reality, never served in the Black Panther movement, nor did he ever run for public office, but the story would not work on screen without artistic licence.
Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) moves away from the abusive plantation he was raised on in order to pursue a better life for himself. Gaines soon takes up employment in a fancy Washington hotel which he excels at due to his training, Cecil is an extremely well-trained “house nigger”, a term he embraces but many are attempting to put behind him. Gaines blends into the background, a quiet observer of some of the most interesting areas of American history from the JFK administration to dinners with Ronald Reagan.
However, his son has different ideas. Following his move to the deep South, Louis attempts to work for equal and voting rights for African-Americans, soon placing him in the company of one Martin Luther King. Gaines disowns his son who constantly ends up in trouble, unaware that he is fighting for his future. To him, it is more important to turn up for work and serve his country the way he sees fit, serving his Presidents.
Daniels has never been one to shy away from the issue of “black history” and “black rights” and although The Butler masquerades as a sort-of witness to history in the White House, this issue comes to the fore on more than one occasion. However, the viewpoint is refreshing. Gaines comes from the Deep South and has always seen himself as a “house nigger”, he remains so even within the White House, obeying the laws of white people, essentially obeying the law. Louis, on the other hand, is part of the revolutionaries, the future of America.
The performances drip with obvious Oscar pursuit, that is not to take away from them, Whitaker is very good as Gaines. The stand-out performance is Oprah as his wife Gloria. Over the years, she deals with the blows of the family, often in the absence of the workaholic Gaines. She is his strength, but she is forever placed in the background which leads to alcohol issues and understandable frustrations which she plays out beautifully. The cast in general is pretty amazing however, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr, the list goes on.
However, the hype around this film is not warranted. Yes, it is a very interesting discussion of that period of history, to see those Presidents behind their closed doors, but The Butler lacks that extra edge which takes it from Oscar contender to classic. No doubt its subject material will place it on the Oscar map, but the entire film is just a little too sentimental for the audience to take too seriously. Also, the length is a little too much, Daniels easily could have taken about twenty minutes out of the film.
Worth checking out, but don’t believe the hype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uBXH_DLxsU
