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| The Butler - 2013 |
Coming up next is 2013's "The Butler", the story of a man whose origins begin on a cotton plantation. He eventually comes to work at The White House in Washington D.C. and is a front row witness to some of the most significant events in modern history.
The film's cast includes Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, John Cusack, James Marsden, Liev Schreiber, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, David Oyelowo, Jesse Williams, Minka Kelly, Elijah Kelley, Mariah Carey, and Adriane Lenox.
Born and raised on a cotton plantation in Macon, Georgia, Cecil Gaines starts out life with a series of horrific circumstances which include the murder of his father and the rape and subsequent mental decline of his mother. The owner of the plantation brings him into the house and teaches him how to serve as a butler.
When his life is threatened, Cecil leaves the plantation. He eventually comes to work for a hotel in Washington D.C.
His stellar service gets him the recognition of The White House, and they offer him a position, which he accepts.
Cecil's wife Gloria is overjoyed that her husband is working at The White House. She can't hide her pride as she gushes about him to her friends.
Cecil quickly becomes friends with two other butlers at The White House. Now that he's so close to the President, Cecil has the opportunity to observe history being made. Of course, his own personal life has to evolve with the times as well, and Cecil struggles with his place in the world as his sons try to make theirs just a little bit better.
He begins his tenure in The White House during the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and he witnesses the integration of a school in Arkansas.
Next up are the Kennedys, and we see JFK and Cecil interact on subjects that concern civil rights. After JFK's assassination, Cecil tries to comfort Mrs. Kennedy as best as he can.
LBJ's presidency sees the continuance of the Civil Rights movement, and also the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
During the presidency of Richard Nixon, we see the rise of the group Black Panthers, and the internal struggle of Cecil, as his son is a part of the group.
We fast forward to the Reagans. Ronald advises Cecil to press for wage equality. Nancy delights Cecil and his wife by inviting them to a State Dinner.
Cecil is finally able to bring his wife to the place where he has worked for so long. She excitedly takes in the entire evening. He begins to see racial division in The White House, and he makes the decision to resign.
In 2008, Gloria passes away, and Cecil looks back over the life they shared together.
He's invited to visit The White House during the presidency of Barack Obama. When the White House Chief Usher tells him he will escort him to see the President, Cecil tells him he knows the way and makes his way there alone.
Cast rundown:
Forest Whitaker................................Cecil Gaines
Oprah Winfrey..................................Gloria Gaines
Cuba Gooding Jr...............................Carter Wilson
Lenny Kravitz...................................James Holloway
Terrence Howard...............................Howard
Robin Williams..................................Dwight Eisenhower
John Cusack.....................................Richard Nixon
James Marsden.................................John F. Kennedy
Liev Schreiber...................................Lyndon Johnson
Alan Rickman....................................Ronald Reagan
Jane Fonda.......................................Nancy Reagan
Vanessa Redgrave.............................Annabeth Westfall
David Oyelowo..................................Louis Gaines
Jesse Williams...................................James Lawson
Minka Kelly.......................................Jacqueline Kennedy
Elijah Kelley......................................Charlie Gaines
Mariah Carey....................................Hattie Pearl
Adriane Lenox...................................Gina
And that's all for The Butler. Attention must be drawn to the performance given by Oprah Winfrey. She's a powerhouse in the role of Cecil's wife, Gloria. I love when she tells her son (who has made discouraging remarks to Cecil about being a butler), "Everything you are,
and everything you have is...'cause of that butler." In these dark time we're living in today, the quote by Martin Luther King at the beginning of the film is very apropos for today, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that."
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| California Suite - 1978 |
Up next is 1978's "California Suite", a film about five couples who are staying at a Los Angeles hotel during Academy Awards weekend. Each couple face a different set of trying circumstances.
The film's cast includes Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Herb Edelman, Denise Galik, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Gloria Gifford, Sheila Frazier, and James Coburn.
Chauncey and Lola Gump are vacationing in Los Angeles with Willis and Betting Panama. Nothing seems to go right for them: from a faulty rental car to a non-existent reservation at the hotel. Additionally, the two couples can't stop bickering amongst themselves.
Bill and Hannah Warren are a divorced couple fighting over custody of their teenage daughter. As the maid leaves Hannah's hotel room, Bill enters. "Hello, Hannah," he says politely. "You were supposed to
knock. I was going to keep you waiting
in the hall. You screwed up my big moment," says Hannah.
The two trade barbs at each other. "I love your California clothes," says Hannah. "They're Bloomingdale's of New York," replies Bill. "It's the best place for California clothes," says Hannah.
They spend the rest of the day together, altering between bickering and sharing how each other has changed.
Actress Diana Barrie has come to Los Angeles from London with her husband Sidney Cochran. Diana is up for an Oscar, though she knows she's a long shot to win. She tries out a few acceptance speech lines just in case. "You have to prepare something. You can't just stand there sobbing all over Burt Reynolds."
When the Gumps and the Panamas get to the hotel and they find out that there is only one room instead of two, they decide to share, which they don't realize will turn into a big mistake.
Sidney and Diana prepare for the Academy Awards. Her moods run the gambit from hopeful that she'll win, to panic, and ultimately despair over her marriage of convenience with Sidney. Through it all, he's there to offer her support, even when she doesn't win.
The Gumps and the Panamas book the tennis court, and an all out battle begins, which culminates in a fight in their hotel room in which they destroy it.
Elsewhere in the hotel, Marvin Michaels is in a panic. A hooker that his brother sent to his room is passed out cold in bed. Even worse is the fact that Marvin's wife (who came a day later) is on her way up to the room.
Marvin tries his best to hide the hooker from his wife Millie, and tries to avoid a very difficult conversation.
Unfortunately for Marvin, Millie discovers the hooker in the bed. She ultimately decides to forgive Marvin and pretend this whole episode never happened.
As they are on their way out that evening, they share a cab with the hooker. "Do you know who that is?" asks Marvin in shock. With a straight face, Millie replies, "Yes, it's our hooker. Do you think I'd ride with strangers?"
Hannah allows her daughter to stay with Bill, which earns her the gratitude of the girl.
The Gumps and Panamas head home, too. They have sustained heavy injuries in their fight. Both the guys are doctors and wonder how they are going to teach and practice medicine in their condition.
And after a disastrous trip, Diana and Sidney head home to London. Diana wants to get off the plane when the flight attendant announces that they are going to show the movie that Diana was nominated for.
Cast rundown:
Jane Fonda................................Hannah Warren
Alan Alda...................................Bill Warren
Maggie Smith.............................Diana Barrie/Wendy
Michael Caine.............................Sidney Cochran
Walter Matthau...........................Marvin Michaels
Elaine May..................................Millie Michaels
Herb Edelman.............................Harry Michaels
Denise Galik...............................Bunny
Richard Pryor..............................Dr. Chauncey Gump
Bill Cosby...................................Dr. Willis Panama
Gloria Gifford..............................Lola Gump
Sheila Frazier..............................Bettina Panama
James Coburn.............................Harold
And that's it for California Suite. In real life, Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, achieving what her character could not. Maggie Smith said that director Herbert Ross was very difficult to work with. She also said that he reduced Walter Matthau to tears during the filming.
My favorite scene in the movie comes when Diana and Sidney are having a drink at the bar before the Oscars. The bartender puts down a plate of chips and guacamole, and Diana is abhorred when she sees it. "What is that green slime you're eating? It looks like a dish out of Oliver Twist!" she remarks to Sidney. He replies, "I'm not sure. I think they just run the front lawn through a blender."
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