The Butler

This is a good film, not epic, but top shelf in comparison to this summer's other releases. Vote with your dollars, and go, it's truly worthy, but could've been one for the ages. The acting was fine, especially by Forest Whitaker, as always, and Alan Rickman. Casting of some other characters was mystifying. Oprah was pretty able, but no ability to not be O.W. I'd like her as neighbour, but here, Angela Bassett or Viola Davis would've been my choices. Robin Williams, as possibly Harry Truman is an outside sale, but as Eisenhower, not viable. Liev Schreiber's L.B.J. tolerable, but no jam. John Cusak (usually accepts scripts more appropriate than most) as Nixon missed it, too. Kennedy's depiction sadly, miscast and soft. Numerous character actors, would've been better choices, for any of the above. I don't blame the fine actors, but the direction and material. Yet Alan Rickman's Reagan, completely Oscar worthy, even got the twinkly eyes perfectly. Having lived during most of the depicted events, I felt script was thin, too contrived, and telegraphed its path compared to recognized classics. Still, made a good movie, if not a legendary one. Why Carter's era wasn't dealt with, I don't know. The production was OK only, set design, continuity, authenticity messy. Less payroll, more production oriented budget would've been prudent. I saw this at major city multi-screen theatre, mid-day with a long long line up. Ninety five percent choosing "The Butler". Comment leaving was positive, too. As material, The Butler snatches "defeat from the jaws of victory", as film craft it's the opposite. Make a film that's not a sequel, CG, profanity and violence dominated, nor comic book derived, and people will beat a path to your door. "Flop Summer '13" is telling Hollywood something, LISTEN.