Butter (2011)

In Iowa, an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town's annual contest.

Director:

Jim Field Smith

Writer:

Jason A. Micallef (as Jason Micallef)

Stars:

Jennifer Garner, Yara Shahidi, Ty Burrell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Garner	...	Laura Pickler
Ty Burrell	...	Bob Pickler
Garrett Schenck	...	Orval Flanagan
Kristen Schaal	...	Carol Ann Stevenson
Jason Yudoff	...	Announcer
Phyllis Smith	...	Nancy
Judy Leavell	...	Helen Flanagan
Joe Chrest	...	Butter Fan
Deana Ricks	...	Butter Fan's Wife
Yara Shahidi	...	Destiny
Kelly Tippens	...	Mrs. Moore
Dodie Brown	...	June Carmichael
Jeanne Evans	...	Mrs. Gunderson
Cindy Creekmore	...	Danielle Mattingly
Christine Scheller	...	Transitional Home Worker

Storyline

In Iowa, laid-back Bob has won the state fair's butter-carving contest 15 years running; his tightly-wound and hard-charging wife Laura sees Bob becoming governor, so when the contest organizers ask him to step aside so others can win, she's incensed; when Bob won't protest, she decides to enter herself. In the county contest, she's up against Destiny, an African-American foster child, and Brooke, a prostitute Bob hasn't paid. When things don't go Laura's way, she enlists the help of Boyd, an old boyfriend. Laura's step-daughter and Destiny's foster parents are in the mix as things heat up at the state fair. What are Destiny and Laura's destiny?

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Plot Keywords:

contest | state fair | iowa | prostitute | butter | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about sex, power and spreading the wealth.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 2012 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Alles in Butter

Filming Locations:

Bossier City, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$70,931 (USA) (5 October 2012)

Gross:

$70,931 (USA) (5 October 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael De Luca Productions, Vandalia Films, Weinstein Company, The

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Carrey was rumored to star.

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Goofs

You cannot handle butter sculptures with your bare hands - that's the temperature at which it melts.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Laura Pickler: I believe in America. I believe we are the best. I believe we're number one. And I won't apologize for that. My husband and I are survivors. We fought tooth and nail to get where we are today. How? The old fashion way, hard work and a can-do attitude. And here in the great State of Iowa, no less, where all great battles begin. My name is Laura Dean Pickler, and this is the cut-throat story of greed, blackmail, sex, and butter.

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Crazy Credits

On the Blu-ray, there are no opening credits except for the RADiUS-TWC logo and the title.

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Connections

References Rain Man (1988)

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Soundtracks

Winds of Change
Written by Michael Fitzpatrick and Chris Seefried
Performed by Fitz and The Tantrums
Courtesy of Dangerbird Records

User Reviews

Great Dark Comedy!

I thought this movie was hilarious! It is a black comedy all the way though, so if you don't care for that style of humor you probably won't get this movie. Many of the characters are exaggerated and the plot line itself is a bit over the top, but that is the purpose of a dark comedy. All of the actors are great in this! Jennifer Garner really shines as the more villainous Laura Pickler, and it's nice to see her in a more against type role. Olivia Wilde also stood out as Brooke the local stipper. However, the biggest stand out was Yara Shahidi as 10 year old Destiny. She did an excellent job in the role and really brought heart to the movie. Overall I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but if you enjoy black comedies this is one worth checking out.