Lee Daniels' "The Butler"

Image: hitfix.com

Saturday evening, I went to see "The Butler". Lee Daniels captures the viewers' attention immediately and never lets it go. The number of viewers at the last matinee was surprising to say the least. There were too many empty seats to take the trouble to count. If you are reading this and wondering if you should bother to spend your money on a ticket, let your doubts be allayed.

Even if you think, as I did, that you knew enough about the Civil Rights movement and you did not need to see another movie about it, have another thought coming on the heels of that one. While the movie is definitely a history lesson for anyone who did not have an actual role in the movement, The Butler is so much more than that.

The movie delves into family drama from various aspects... father, son discord; a husband who is a good man and provider but is lacking as a marriage partner; a second child who flounders in a family position that is never clearly defined for him. Betrayal, loyalty, loud courage, quiet compliance and a myriad of other issues carry the viewer on a ride that has more ups, downs, twists and turns than a long, winding river. 

All of the actors give sterling performances. Any true fan of Forest Whitaker knows that no matter what the role, he embodies the character completely. Oprah Winfrey made me believe that she was "Gloria". It is evident that this is a role that spoke to her from the pages of the script. The iconic Jane Fonda is perfect as former First Lady Nancy Reagan. 

Image: craveonline.com

Be prepared to have your heart run the full scope of emotions. I was angry, happy, hurt, deflated, uplifted, disappointed, and hopeful during the showing. You will be, too. Seeing what people endured in that era from the perspective of someone who was not considered to be on the front lines of the movement was thought provoking. It helped me to look at things in my own life from a different perspective.

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Take that much needed break you've been promising yourself that you would and allow yourself to be entertained, enlightened and changed. You will not walk out of the theater with the same sense of right and wrong and that tense area in between. Race relations will not magically become better but the current young generation will have a better understanding of why some things are the way that they are. Perhaps they will be inspired to live in such a way that harmony between the races will be embraced and promoted and hatred will be fervently denounced.

Most of all, it is my belief that you will leave the show with a thirst to better your relationships with your family and friends. So, you see, the price of the ticket to have a seat and watch The Butler is minuscule compared to the incalculable values you will walk away with. Go see the film. Take a friend, or even better, a family member with whom you need to mend a bond. The only way that your heart will not be touched is if you don't have one.

Be blessed!

Sunida 

P.S.  I think that Lee Daniels is positively brilliant! This story is told in a manner that is familiar yet fresh and intriguing.  And the man took glamorous diva Mariah Carey and turned her into a field negro. What?!!  I'm done!  Although I can't imagine that you have not seen the trailer, it is posted below just in case.