The Butler
The Butler

Movie spotlight

The Butler

2018
Movie
142 min
Polish

The love between Mateusz Krol, a Kashubian boy, and Marita von Krauss, a Prussian aristocrat in whose family home he is taken in when his mother dies, grows and matures thorough the years, while Kashubia, the northern Polish region where they live, suffers the consequences of the tragedies that will ravage Europe from the beginning of the 20th century until the end of the World War II.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes73%
Metacritic66/100
Google Users79%
Director: Lee DanielsGenres: Drama, History

Plot Summary

A devoted butler serves eight presidents in the White House for over three decades. Witnessing pivotal moments in American history and the civil rights movement from his unique vantage point, he grapples with personal sacrifices and the evolving social landscape. His unwavering dedication to his profession and his family forms the core of this poignant drama.

Critical Reception

The Butler received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, particularly Forest Whitaker's, and its historical scope. Some critics found the film's narrative structure occasionally uneven and its message somewhat didactic, but overall, it was considered a compelling and emotional historical drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its strong performances, especially from the lead cast.

  • Commended for its ambitious scope in depicting American history through the eyes of a White House butler.

  • Some critics noted a sentimental or overly earnest tone at times.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's historical narrative and the powerful performances. Many found it to be an emotional and thought-provoking experience, though a segment of viewers felt the storytelling could have been more nuanced.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for numerous awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Oprah Winfrey.

Fun Fact

The filmmakers created a detailed timeline of events that occurred during the butler's tenure at the White House, which was then used to inform the costumes, set design, and historical accuracy of each scene.

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