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Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013)

The Butler (original title)
PG-13 | | Biography, Drama | 16 August 2013 (USA)
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As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.

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Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 17 wins & 50 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Mr. Jenkins (as John Fertitta)
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White Usher
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Storyline

Cecil Gaines was a sharecropper's son who grew up in the 1920s as a domestic servant for the white family who casually destroyed his. Eventually striking out on his own, Cecil becomes a hotel valet of such efficiency and discreteness in the 1950s that he becomes a butler in the White House itself. There, Cecil would serve numerous US Presidents over the decades as a passive witness of history with the American Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum even as his family has troubles of its own. As his wife, Gloria, struggles with her addictions and his defiant eldest son, Louis, strives for a just world, Cecil must decide whether he should take action in his own way. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

One quiet voice can ignite a revolution

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material, thematic elements and smoking | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

16 August 2013 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Lee Daniels' The Butler  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$24,637,312 (USA) (16 August 2013)

Gross:

$116,631,310 (USA) (7 February 2014)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Mila Kunis was considered to play Jacqueline Kennedy. See more »

Goofs

During the dinner scene, Cecil claims that Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award in 1968 for In the Heat of the Night. That is not true. It was Rod Steiger who won the Academy Award for the same film. The film also won Best Picture. Poitier won the Award in 1964 for Lilies of the Field, so Cecil may have confused the two. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Cecil Gaines: The only thing I ever knew was cotton. It was hard work.
See more »

Connections

Features Sanford and Son (1972) See more »

Soundtracks

Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed On Freedom
Traditional
Arranged by Clark J. Knighten
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Uninspiring and thoroughly over-hyped.
15 August 2013 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

For anyone who has seen The Help this is the less elegant version.. Actually this isn't elegant at all, it's just bland and poorly done. Nothing really happens, and even though the tagline is "One quiet voice can ignite a revolution" very little actually happens in the film..

First off Whitaker is thoroughly underwhelming, which is honestly surprising. I often enjoy his films, but he is totally uninspiring in this.

Oprah has gotten a lot of buzz due to her role, many even talking about Oscar noms. Is it that good? No... I must admit I was a little biased coming into this due to her publicity stunt with regards to the whole "Swiss purse" incident.

Jane Fonda, a die-hard liberal in the role of Nancy Reagan would be akin to casting Jon Voight as FDR. In other words, it doesn't make any sense and instead jumps out as an eye sore.

My biggest problem with this film is the lack of any grace. It's just a race guilt tripping wet dream.... The Help was funny, it was touching and the actresses did phenomenal. While watching The Butler I couldn't get past "oh that's Oprah, there's Jane Fonda.."

To close, don't see this. It's boring, it's not entertaining, it doesn't have any memorable performances, many needless guest stars, and of course Oprah. You are much better off renting The Help for a truly enjoyable film where you don't finish the movie feeling uncomfortable for being white.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
JFK was a pos. malcomx-42598
Why cast Oprah? AndroYoussef
The first time a white man ever stuck his neck out for us? bbb984
Who else found the casting too distracting ? Dubdub1974
What was with the random Obama propganda? starcraftbw88
Why did the director put his own name in the title? Effervesce
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