The Butler

'Inspired by a true story', the credits state which probably means that 'The Butler' who served eight US Presidents actually existed but the rest of his story, or rather most of the rest of it, involves theatrical license, fanciful supposition and downright story telling.

But the actual story of the film is the civil rights movement in the USA and that was reality. A cavalcade of talented performers take their turn in cameos to recreate a period from 1926 to the election of President Obama and the battle by African Americans to acquire the dignity of equality or something approaching equality.

Forest Whitaker gives an impressive performance as the title character and is well supported by David Oyelowo as his activist son. Oprah Winfrey gives a nicely understated performance as the wife only blemished by a curiously poor final scene. The Presidential cameos are an uneven set.

The film opens with a particularly shocking incident that draws the viewer immediately into the brutality of the race relations. Documentary footage is then used cleverly to illustrate how the civil rights movement evolved and developed.

'The Butler' is not without flaws as a movie but it is instructive for those unaware of the history and if drawing an emotional response is a purpose of cinema then this film is a success. I was in tears at the end; an emotional reaction I rarely experience.
★★★1/2