Trying to examine the entire century of American racism through the eyes of a long-serving White House butler is an overly ambitious concept, to the point that need to cover historical turf becomes dutiful rather than dramatic. At the end of the day, director Daniels tries to fit way too much history into a film that begged for fewer and more focused relationships and storylines. One walks out of the theater after seeing Lee Daniels’ The Butler with the distinct feeling of being both powerfully moved and overwhelmed.
Lee Daniels - the director of THE BUTLER.
