The Butler film review

The Butler has an all-star cast that includes Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and Terence Howard, with notable appearances from such Hollywood royalty as Vanessa Redgrave and Robin Williams.  It is something of a Forrest Gump-style film, telling the story of Cecil Gaines from childhood to retirement, using notable moments in Black American history as its backdrop.  It is a mammoth story.  Perhaps it is too big for 132 minutes.

Certainly, it does not feel like a long film.  That is testament to the pace it maintains and the level to which the viewer invests in the central characters.  However, the choice to tell such an all-encompassing story, and to personalise events of great social significance is at the expense of the development of some characters and inter-personal relationships.  This is Gaines' story, but the most interesting parts of the film relate to his relationship with his eldest son.  Father and son represent different approaches to the fight to end racism and - like most fathers and sons - their relationship is complicated.  Sadly, though, there are few memorable moments the two men share.  The strain between them is demonstrated mostly through how it impacts Gloria Gaines (Winfrey) - the wife/mother caught in the middle.  This provides Winfrey with some rich material and she shines in this role.  Understandably, these events also place a strain on the relationship between Gloria and Cecil.  But what of this?  It is tough to know what to make of their turbulent relationship as it seems to have been that way from early on.  Did they marry for love?  Did they learn to love each other only after marriage?  It's not very clear.

There are so many interesting stories within The Butler that I can't help but feel they would have been better served in long-form.  It could have made a riveting television mini-series, but as a film it lacks the depth to truly hook its audience.  Furthermore, the most memorable scenes do not include the central character.  There are times he feels like a bit-part in his own film.

See this film for a heart-rending tale of injustice and the struggle to fight it.  Unfortunately the tale is not quite provided the depth it deserves.