Lee Daniel's The Butler is the semi-fact-based tale of Eugene Allen; the long-standing manservant of the White House who, for over thirty years, from 1952 to 1986, served under eight different presidents.

Forest WhitakerForest Whitaker as 'The Butler'

Forest Whitaker stars as Cecil Gaines - the character based on Allen - in the ensemble film, which already has critics singing its praises. Based on The Washington Post article 'A Butler Well Served by This Election' and adapted for the screen by Danny Strong, the film features no end of big names, with Oprah Winfrey starring as Cecil's wife, Gloria, and with appearances from Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Mariah Carey, Vanessa Redgrave and a number of famous faces brought in to portray some of the historical figures present in the film, The Butler could already be one of the top contenders for Oscar glory next year.

As thoroughly impressive as the cast is, the focus of the film is on Whitaker almost constantly, and once again the Oscar-winner has proved himself as one of the most bankable actors in the business today. Even the certain reviews that have panned the film agree that Whitaker gives a show-stopping performance and come awards season, it would certainly be a surprise to see him not among the nominees.

Described as a "characteristically strong performance" from Whitaker by Times-Picayune's Mike Scott, he is continually singled out by critics as the one man, who really makes this film work.

Forest WhitakerForest Whitaker [L] and Cuba Gooding Jr [R] In The Butler

One person who sometimes hinders, rather than helps the film work, however is the director, Lee Daniels, whom many critics criticise for spoon-feeding the audience heaps of emotion, without paying enough attention to the time period or any particular setting, often resulting in scenes that are heavy-handed and glaringly obvious to even the most helpless amateur historian.

His direction is described as "thuggish" by New York Magazine's David Edelstein, and the film is often riddled with "contrivances and obvious point-making and familiar historical signposting" because of Daniel's work - as described by The Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy - the film sometimes stumbles a little bit too much to be a clear-cut Best Picture contender, and many critics would agree that if anyone involved in the picture was most undeserving of some recognition, it would be Daniels.

Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey Makes Her Acting Return in 'The Butler'

Overall, the film has some great moments and as a whistle stop tour through the 20th century - a la Forest Gump - Lee Daniels' The Butler is one of the better movies to be released so far this year. Currently holding a 85% 'Fresh' rating on RottenTomatoes.com, Jocelyn Noveck's review for the Associated Press perhaps sums it up best, saying; "Daniels and company may not have made a masterpiece, but they have made a film you should see."

Lee Daniels' The Butler arrives in cinemas across the US on 16 August.

Watch the trailer for The Butler: