Writer: Danny Strong (Screenplay) Wil Haygood (Article)
Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams
Plot: Cecil Gaines (Whitaker) serves eight presidents as a butler; we follow his tenure as America goes through the civil rights movement, Vietnam and other major events. All of that goes on, with his own life changes and family problems and beliefs.
Verdict: Very moving story about one man and his work
Story: What tells the story of one man who rise above the civil rights movement to be able to become respected by presidents and fellow peers in the White House. We also see how he struggles to keep everything together when one of his sons is on the home front of the civil rights movement taking the beatings for his beliefs. Each president gives a different insight on how to handle the racial movement some Cecil supports others he does not. In conclusion this is a beautifully told story. (9/10)
Actor Review: Forest Whitaker – Cecil from the time he loses his father on a cotton field to the time he retires from being the butler for the president we see everything he achieves. Brilliant performance from Forest who tells the story perfectly and shows he really he a heavyweight actor. Star Performance Award (10/10)
Actor Review: Oprah Winfrey – Gloria, Cecil wife who has her own problems but never lets it get in the way of Cecil work. Great performance from Oprah who doesn’t act much but when she does she is great. (9/10)
Actor Review: David Oyelowo – Louis, Cecil’s son who joins the freedom fighters and is at constant conflict with his father. David is brilliant in this too having to go through each movement as he grows and matures. David easily matches up to Forest. (9/10)
Director Review: Lee Daniels – Brilliant directions to tell the story in a similar style as Forrest Gump. (9/10)
Biography: Wonderfully told biographical story. (10/10)
Drama: Great drama used to keep everything together. (9/10)
Special Effects: Great special effects to use achieve footage to tell the story much like Forrest Gump did. (10/10)
Believability: It is based on the story of a real life butler who served under the same presidents. (10/10)
Chances of Tears: A few throughout. (5/10)
Settings: Most of Cecil’s settings are simple like his home or the White House, but it is Louis settings that really shine through as they are where big events in history have happened and recreate the moment very well. (9/10)
Suggestion: I would say just watch this you will get reward as it tells such a beautiful story during such a difficult time. (Watch)
Best Part: Hard to pick one but I would say the second time Cecil asks for equal pay.
Worst Part: It starts a bit slow.
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Similar Too: Forrest Gump
Overall: Brilliant Biographical tale
Rating