Entertaining Criticism: "The Butler"

Lee Daniels' "The Butler" is one of the most talked about films released this summer. It topped the North American box office in its first two weeks of release, receiving mostly positive reviews.

Film critic Richard Roeper has praised the film, describing Forest Whitaker's performance as "the performance of his career." The movie boasts a star-studded cast, including Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Terrance Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams and even songstress Mariah Carey.

The film takes a profound look at the roles of White House workers and the fortitude they possessed during the Civil Rights Movement.

While past depictions of butlers, maids and other workers of color have portrayed naïve, animated characters lacking depth, "The Butler" offers a much deeper perspective. Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines.

Born and raised on a Georgia cotton plantation, he dedicates his life to professional domestic work. Cecil works his way up from a house servant to a butler in the White House alongside President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The film chronicles Cecil's experiences as a butler during the Civil Rights Movement as well as the tension felt amongst his family.

"The Butler" is loosely based on the true story of Eugene Allen, who served eight presidents during his 34-year term as a White House domestic worker. Allen started as a pantry man and retired in 1986 as head butler. Wil Haygood, award-winning Washington Post writer and acclaimed biographer, was the first to introduce Allen's story to the world. He interviewed Allen in 2008, four days before the election of Barack Obama. Weeks after Haygood's article was published, Columbia Pictures bought the rights to Allen's story.

Director Lee Daniels follows the success of his film "Precious" with yet another insightful look at the trials and tribulations of a Black family.

 Us Magazine likened the film to "Forrest Gump," and even the President gave his praises.

"I did see The Butler, and I did tear up," said President Obama during an appearance on Tom Joyner's radio show.

"I teared up just thinking about not just the butlers who have worked here in the White House, but an entire generation of people who were talented and skilled, but because of Jim Crow, because of discrimination, there was only so far they could go. And yet, with dignity and tenacity, they got up and worked every single day, and put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids," he said.

If those aren't enough reasons to go check out this film, I don't know what will make you see it.

"The Butler" is now playing.

"The Butler" Trailer