The much anticipated film of the year and the biggest hit at the box office to date Lee Daniels' "The Butler", had me on edge as the storyline opened up to America's greatest sin; slavery.
The slavery scene in the beginning set the mood for the rest of the film, and I immediately understood the journey in which I was about to embark; It was dark, stifled, lonely, and the only traces of light was the love shown between a father and his family. Love of family coupled with a people's persistence to persevere regardless of the odds, is what got me through the film.
The slavery scene in the beginning set the mood for the rest of the film, and I immediately understood the journey in which I was about to embark; It was dark, stifled, lonely, and the only traces of light was the love shown between a father and his family. Love of family coupled with a people's persistence to persevere regardless of the odds, is what got me through the film.
One of the most disturbing scenes displayed the Freedom Riders where Klansmen/civilians attacked a group of college students, until their bus exploded into flames. Every emotion in me wanted to make my body stand-up and throw something at the movie screen, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs for them to STOP!
As the heinous scene dissipated into the next so did my fury, leaving behind traces of my tears. As my heart palpitations ceased, the struggle between father and son continued. A struggle between two men living in two different worlds and clashing, because while one tempted the status quo the other tried harder not too.
As the heinous scene dissipated into the next so did my fury, leaving behind traces of my tears. As my heart palpitations ceased, the struggle between father and son continued. A struggle between two men living in two different worlds and clashing, because while one tempted the status quo the other tried harder not too.
The true events of the film gave way to the election of our first black president, Barack Hussein Obama. I surprised myself when my body began quivering, emitting loud sobs from deep within that my neighboring movie goers couldn't help but hear. It was an unexpected reaction at the end of the film, but as I replayed Lee Daniels' "The Butler" in my head -- my loud outcry made sense. The journey of darkness led to a victory of light and after all that, my sobs of bittersweet emotions were indeed relevant.
Kudos to the writer of this film Danny Strong and the Director Lee Daniels, for bringing this film to our eyes and ears. And kudos to the extraordinary cast for using their artistic craft of acting, to simultaneously mess with ALL my emotions. This film is a must see!
2013 LA
