Lee Daniels’ The Butler is set against the tumultuous political backdrop of 20th century America. The film tells the story of White House Butler Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), who serves during seven presidential administrations between 1957 and 1986. The film is inspired by Wil Haygood’s 2008 Washington Post article ‘A Butler Well Served by This Election’ which chronicled the real life of former White House butler Eugene Allen.
Starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Vanessa Redgrave, Cuba Gooding, Terrence Howard, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, James Marsden, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, Alex Pettyfer and Jane Fonda, and directed by Lee Daniels.
Due for UK release on 15th November 2013.