Review: The Butler serves politics, history, and racial equality

(Contains mild spoilers)

Lee Daniels' The Butler is a historical drama film depicting the life of Cecil Gaines, an African-American who served as a White House butler under eight presidents. The movie tells the tumultuous story of Cecil’s family in a time when notable political and social events such as the civil rights movement are about to sweep American society.

The film features a powerhouse cast, led by Forest Whitaker with his commanding portrayal of Cecil, Oprah Winfrey as his wife, Mariah Carey as his mother, and the likes of Robin Williams, James Mardsen, and Alan Rickman portraying some of the Presidents that the butler served. 

The story begins with Cecil as a young boy working at a cotton plantation where the injustice against the African-Americans is quickly established -- Cecil witnesses the shooting of his father at the hands of a White man, who had also raped his mother. Cecil eventually becomes a house Negro (a term that will be used throughout the film) and is taught on how to serve White people. Years later, he gets a job at a hotel where a White House aide notices him.

As some critics have pointed out, the film progresses in a Forrest Gump-like narrative. With his position as a servant inside the White House, Cecil watches historical events unfold such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Vietnam War, and the resignation of Richard Nixon.

While the movie tells the story of an African-American who serves the President, it centers though on the struggle of African-Americans who demand that their rights be served. One of them is Cecil’s son Louis, played by an efficient David Oyelowo, who directly participates in the civil rights movement, even if it is opposed by his father. This sparks the shaky relationship between the father and the son, which had some of the strongest dramatic moments in the film.

Though he disapproves Louis’ actions, Cecil has also a personal share in the fight for race equality, like when he asks the occupants of the Oval Office to give the black workers inside the White House the salary and promotion that they deserve.

The two protagonists represent the division among African-Americans during the civil rights movement. The opposing views between the two characters also conveys an important message of the film: the fight for justice and equality takes many forms.

The Butler also tells the struggles within Cecil’s family, which has been affected by the political events around them. As he dedicates his life to domestic work, Cecil’s wife somehow feels neglected, leading to a flirtation with a neighbor. Meanwhile, Louis and his younger brother have their own differences, with the latter saying that he wants to fight in a war for his country, as opposed to the former who is challenging the government.

Overall, with its own share of strong drama and some humor, The Butler impresses but does not overwhelm; it may fail expectations but does not really disappoint. It's good but not great, though it is definitely worth-seeing. With effective lead actors, a star-spangled cast and a significant plot, who knows, the film may earn some nods at the Oscars.

The Butler is now showing in selected theaters nationwide.