As Peter Travers says, its rare for a film to generate Oscar buzz in the summertime. But critics are swooning in a major way forLee Daniels The Butler, which stars Forest Whitaker as White House butler Cecil Gaines.
See photos of Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey at the 2013 Rock Hall Induction
The role is based on the life of a real man, Eugene Butler, who held his position for 34 years, observing the nations major evolutions in politics and civil rights.Its an epic plot tailor-made for Oscar glory, but doesThe Butlerreally deliver on the hype?
According to Travers, the answer is a tentative yes.
Our critic praises Whitakers magnetic lead performance, but he saves his loudest applause for Oprah Winfrey, who co-stars as the title characters cheating alcoholic wife. Travers says Winfreys slovenly spouse is both funny and fierce.
There are speedbumps: Travers takes issue with the films Hollywood-ized feel, particularly the obtrusive, shoehorned guest appearances including John Cusack as Richard Nixon and Robin Williams as an unrecognizable Dwight D. Eisenhower. (What is this? Travers asks of the cameos. Its not making any sense!)
Yet for all the films crudeness, he says the picture ultimately works, mostly because of its historical sweep, with the whole civil rights era reflected through this butler and his family life.
Flaws and all, Travers says, you should see [it].