The Butler (15)

Directed by Lee Daniels

2 Stars

Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of the US in the 20th century, with an Oscar-winning cast to die for, Lee Daniels's epic drama seems to be making a desperate beeline for Academy Award recognition.

It is based very loosely on Eugene Allen, who was a former White House butler for 34 years.

However it centres on fictional butler Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) who serves during seven presidential administrations between 1957 and 1986 and witnesses the rise of the Civil Rights movement from an unusual vantage point.

Unfortunately this terribly worthy and laboured drama seems more like an idiot's guide to that movement.

Its saving grace is the superlative performances by Whitaker as the stoic Gaines and Oprah Winfrey as his alcoholic, cheating wife.

A-listers in the cameo department include Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and Cuba Gooding Jr.  

But the miscasting of Robin Williams, John Cusack and Alan Rickman as Dwight D Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan respectively is a distraction.  

If only they had portrayed Allen's real life story it would have made for a more fascinating and insightful drama instead of this overly long and contrived history lesson.

Maria Duarte