Review of The Butler (2013) by Matty S — 18 Jan 2014

I like directors with a strong sense of style and unique cinematic language. Thus far, Lee Daniels has put forward both. However, the latest film from Daniels lacks any sense of cinematic style or flair.

In fact, this movie could easily be mistaken for a "Made For TV" movie. It is not by any means a bad film, but it is not a particularly good one. Well intended but oddly surface examination of our country's unforgivable atrocities against African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement.

Ultimately, the film feels flat and simplistic. Instead of pushing forward the need for continued improvement in the civil rights of all minorities the film takes an all too easy stand that seems to sing from a mountain, "look how far we have come!" It is entertaining and quite moving at times, but left me feeling like I had just seen 65 years of history glossed over and without much self-awareness.

Coming from a director who has shown so such a strong and potent voice, this film seemed like some sort of false way for white people to feel less guilty about the state of where we are as a nation today.

Chicken soup for Oppressed Souls and Those who Oppress Them...