MOVIE MONDAYS: THE BUTLER
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.”
I cannot believe I hadn't posted this yet. Luckily I had written down my thoughts in my trusty Blog Book (on the 9th of Dec apparently :/) so my thoughts will be exactly those that I had when I had just watched it.
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This film left me in some sort of funk after watching it. I dunno...had me contemplating life, the choices I have made and the choices people in generations before me made that sent ripples through history to effect change to ensure basic human rights were experienced by all.
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Now I am no history buff but I do love my period dramas. This film is like a time capsule that introduces us into the world of one Cecil Gaines, a dark horse at the heart of the civil rights movement in the US. This film is infused with passion, heart, fear, shame, love and humanity at its lowest and greatest. You also get to see the different shades to politics and how it is not something that is found only in the House of Assembly of House of Parliament or the White House etc.It is also found in you house, the streets, your workplace. Politics is everywhere - and it is one topic of conversation that will send me out of any room faster than you can gasp for air having almost drowned.
Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious; The Paperboy) and written by Danny Strong (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1&2), this movie shows us the possibilities of making your own mark in your own community using what you have.
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The cast for this film is fantastic. Oprah (The Colour Purple; Beloved) and Forest Whitaker's (The Last King of Scotland; Our Family Wedding; Zulu) performance are stellar! I completely forgot it was them and was thoroughly engrossed in the story they helped bring to life. There were a ton of other great actors too who portrayed their characters in ways that really sucked me into the world of The Butler. David Oyelowo (Who Do You Love; The Help; Lincoln), Vanessa Redgrave (Girl, Interrupted; Atonement; Nip/Tuck), Elijah Kelly (28 Days; Take The Lead; Hairspray) and John Cusack (Must Love Dogs; The Paperboy; America's Sweetheart) are just a few.
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If you have not seen this film yet and were contemplating doing so, I think you will like films with elements of drama, political activism, hope, romance and perseverance.
What movie have you seen recently?
Mo xx