Is The Butler based on a true story?
The Butler is inspired by the real-life experiences of Eugene Allen, an African-American man who worked as a butler in the White House for nearly three decades, across eight presidencies, between 1952 and 1986. While the film includes some elements Fictional, it primarily captures the historical events and changes witnessed by Eugene during his tenure.
The film serves as a reflection on the experiences of African-American people and the impact of important historical events on their lives and families. Eugene’s life offers a unique perspective on the personal and political dimensions of the transformative era in the United States.
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The Butler
“The Butler”, officially known as “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”, is a 2013 American historical drama film directed and co-produced by Lee Daniels, with a screenplay by Danny Strong. Inspired by Wil Haygood’s Washington Post article, “A Butler Well Served by This Election,” the film loosely depicts the life of Eugene Allen, who served in the White House for many years. Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, an African-American who witnesses important political and social events during his 34 years as a White House butler.
Released on August 16, 2013 by the Weinstein Company, the film received positive reviews for its cast, but faced criticism for historical inaccuracies, particularly in the portrayal of President Reagan. Despite this, it was a commercial success, grossing over $177 million worldwide on a $30 million budget.
The Butler Cast
Actor |
Character |
|---|---|
|
whitaker forest |
Cecil Gaines (main character) |
|
Michael Rainey Jr. |
Young Cecil (7 years old) |
|
Aml Ameen |
Young Cecil (18 years old) |
|
Oprah Winfrey |
Gloria Gaines (Cecil’s wife) |
|
David Oyelowo |
Louis Gaines (Cecil’s eldest son) |
|
Elijah Kelley |
Charlie Gaines (Cecil’s youngest son) |
|
Alex Pettyfer |
Thomas Westfall (plantation owner) |
|
David Bandera |
Earl Gaines (Cecil’s father) |
|
Mariah Carey |
Hattie Pearl (Cecil’s mother) |
|
Terrence Howard |
Howard (Gaines’ neighbor) |
|
Adriana Lenox |
Gina (Howard’s wife) |
|
Yaya DaCosta |
Carol Hammie (Louis’ girlfriend) |
|
Vanessa Redgrave |
Annabeth Westfall (plantation matron) |
|
Clarence Williams III |
Maynard (senior mentor) |
|
Cuba Gooding Jr. |
Carter Wilson (White House Chief Butler) |
|
Lenny Kravitz |
James Holloway (White House aide) |
|
Colman Domingo |
Freddie Fallows (Maitre d’ of the White House) |
|
robin williams |
Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th president) |
|
James DuMont |
Sherman Adams (Eisenhower’s Chief of Staff) |
|
Robert Aberdeen |
Herbert Brownell Jr. (Eisenhower’s Attorney General) |
|
James Marsden |
John F. Kennedy (35th president) |
|
Minka Kelly |
Jackie Kennedy (First Lady) |
|
Liev Schreiber |
Lyndon B. Johnson (36th president) |
|
Juan Cusack |
Richard Nixon (37th president) |
|
Alan Rickman |
Ronald Reagan (40th president) |
|
Jane Fonda |
Nancy Reagan (First Lady) |
|
Stephen Rider |
Stephen W. Rochon (White House Chief Usher) |
|
Nelson Ellis |
Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
jesse williams |
James Lawson (civil rights activist) |
|
danny strong |
Freedom Bus journalist (screenwriter) |
The Butler Plot
The Butler is a 2013 American historical drama film directed by Lee Daniels. Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Eugene Allen, who worked in the White House for several decades, the film follows the life of Cecil Gaines, played by Forest Whitaker. Cecil served as a butler in the White House and became a witness to important political and social events during his 34 years in office.
The film explores Cecil’s private life, including his relationship with his wife, Gloria (Oprah Winfrey), and their two children. It also delves into Cecil’s interactions with historical figures such as Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan, among others. The narrative weaves Cecil’s personal journey with the broader context of the civil rights movement, offering a unique perspective on the historical transformations that occurred in the United States.
The Butler received positive reviews for its engaging storytelling, powerful performances, and depiction of the internal complexities of the civil rights landscape. While some critics noted historical inaccuracies and moments of sentimentality, the film was widely praised for its emotional impact and strong performances from its cast.
The Butler Review
The Butler received mostly positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it earned a rating of 72% based on 201 reviews, with an average score of 6.60/10. Critics praised the film’s emotional impact, despite uneven storytelling. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states that the film, directed by Lee Daniels, is heartbreaking and emotionally moving, overcoming its narrative inequality with strong performances from a stellar cast.
On Metacritic, the film earned a weighted average score of 65 from 47 reviews, indicating generally positive reviews. Audiences, according to a CinemaScore poll, gave it an “A” grade on a scale of A to F.
Critics such as Todd McCarthy found the film engaging, entertaining and never boring, and appreciated its inventions and historical signposting. Richard Roeper praised Forest Whitaker’s performance, calling it the best of his career. Rolling Stone also praised Whitaker for imbuing the film with power and purpose through his thoughtful, powerful, and understated performance.
Variety noted that Daniels effectively portrayed the internal complexities of the civil rights landscape. USA Today gave it three out of four stars, describing it as inspiring with excellent performances, but criticized the lush musical score and melodramatic moments as calculated and undermining the powerful story.
However, some critics, such as Miles Davis of the New York Tribune, called the film “Oscar bait”, designed to attract Oscar nominations. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times was more negative, criticizing the film for addressing its points too directly and comparing it to hitting with a 9-pound hammer. Some critics also made comparisons between The Butler and the movie “Forrest Gump.”
President Barack Obama shared his thoughts on the film, expressing emotional sentiments about butlers and a generation of talented people limited by Jim Crow and discrimination.
The Butler Trailer
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