Lee Daniels' 'The Butler' Already Aiming At The Distant Glow Of The Oscars

Lee Daniels’ The Butler will only see its US-wide release tomorrow (August 16), but the film, telling the story of a White House butler, who saw eight presidents come and go during his residency, is already being praised across the internet and back.

While Daniels’ direction isn’t something the reviewers are impressed with, Whitaker’s portrayal of Cecil Gaines is another story entirely. The AP’s Jocelyn Noveck hails Whitaker’s performance as one of the only things that make the film work. New York magazine’s David Edelstein praises Whitaker for his “finely tuned performance”, while Daniels’ direction is pegged as “elegiac, Oscar-bait mode.” Well, if the Oscars do acknowledge this drama, it’s fairly clear which category will be its strongest.

The Butler wins over critics with its performances, rather than direction.