Occasionally, PopPop produces fantastic, concise movie reviews that should not be lost in e-mail archives. They should be lost in blog archives. So, here they are.
The film is based very loosely on the story of Eugene Allen who served over 30 years in the White House under 8 presidents. It’s well made and emotionally powerful. Daniels has woven an interesting tapestry made up of the civil rights movement from Little Rock to apartheid, and the butler’s (Cecile Gaines in the movie) personal history and growth. The threads are made explicit through the life of Gaines’ son who goes from Fisk student to sitter-in, to freedom rider, to black panther, to apartheid protester to congressman — and finally to reconciliation of the world views of father and son. In some ways, too neat, but it works!
The acting is first rate. The leads are great and the approach to the presidential interpretations respectable. You’ll probably cry at least once! Go see it if you haven’t.