The Butler

The Butler's" venture onto Blu-ray, courtesy of Anchor Bay's 1080p presentation, offers a viewing experience that deftly balances its stylistic choices with technical quality, albeit with mixed outcomes. On one hand, the film's visual narrative benefits from a certain dreamy aesthetic, characterized by slightly blown-out scenes and an overarching brightness. This approach supports the historical ambiance crucial to the narrative, exhibiting meticulous detail in facial expressions, textures of clothing, and the ornate environment of the White House. The color palette is notably vibrant, with the reds of carpeting and gold trimmings standing out, alongside a commendable representation of black levels and flesh tones. The consistency in grain throughout the film adds to its cinematic texture, enhancing scenes with natural elements like grass and wood with a particular sharpness.

However, the Blu-ray presentation is not without its drawbacks, primarily attributed to an inconsistent video quality that some might find detracts from the film's high-definition potential. The over-saturation of colors and a predisposition towards 'warm' tones contribute to a softness in imagery that is especially prevalent in indoor and night-time scenes. The application of filters—or variations in film stock—to achieve temporal distinctions results in an unevenness in grain visibility and clarity. Instances of poor black levels and a noticeable crush, despite fairly solid contrast, underscore some of the technical challenges faced. Scenes captured outdoors during daylight exhibit a marked clarity and vibrancy absent from many indoor sequences, which appear comparatively dull.

In conclusion, while "The Butler" doesn't ascend to the pinnacle of Blu-ray presentations in terms of sheer visual fidelity, Anchor Bay's release encapsulates a deliberate aesthetic choice that mirrors the film's thematic depth. The intentional dreaminess and moment-to-moment shifts in clarity and grain contribute to a viewing experience that, while occasionally uneven, aligns with the directorial intent to juxtapose historical periods and emotional textures. Despite certain inconsistencies, the lack of major artifacting or banding issues suggests a level of care in the transfer process, making it a commendable—if not reference-quality—presentation for viewers and enthusiasts alike.

The Butler's audio presentation, delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, showcases an excellent balance of orchestration and clarity, enveloping the audience in a meticulously crafted aural landscape. From the outset, it's clear that special attention has been paid to the orchestral score which spans the emotional spectrum with clean highs, deep lows, and a well-rounded midrange. This musical mastery is complemented by environmental sound effects that effectively transport listeners from the serene cotton fields of 1926, brimming with nature's chorus, to the tumultuous times of the civil rights era, marked by driving rain and cracking thunder. Enhanced by the authentic sounds of vintage Vietnam news footage, including explosions with a substantial bass presence, the track maintains a coherent and immersive environment throughout.

Dialogue remains a cornerstone of The Butler's audio experience, emanating with consistency and clarity from the center channel, ensuring that the film's narrative is always front and center. Despite the film's focus on dialogue-heavy scenes—particularly those involving the Gaines family discussing life and political events—the audio track manages to incorporate rear-channel activity effectively during action sequences, such as the impactful Freedom Rider bus scene. However, an immersive quality through directionality is somewhat less pronounced, keeping the track solid yet lacking the full immersion experienced in other premium audio presentations.

Accompanying the primary DTS-HD track are Dolby 5.1 options in both French and Spanish, broadening accessibility without compromising audio quality. Subtitles are thoughtfully provided in English SDH and Spanish, ensuring that the film can be enjoyed by a wider audience. Notably, the absence of audio glitches or dropouts further attests to the track's technical proficiency, maintaining a seamless blend of score and environmental sounds with the film's dialogue. This audio setup, while perhaps not groundbreaking, supports The Butler's narrative with a robust and carefully constructed soundscape.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Butler" offer a comprehensive look into the making and historical context of the film, additionally providing some light-hearted moments. The centerpiece, a behind-the-scenes documentary titled "Lee Daniels' The Butler: An American Story," delivers in-depth interviews with cast and crew, discussing everything from the movie's origin to its execution and significance regarding the civil rights movement. The deleted scenes, totaling 21 minutes, provide further depth to the narrative, showcasing moments omitted from the final cut for timing reasons but are engaging upon viewing. Moreover, "The Original Freedom Riders" featurette brings a poignant touch by sharing real experiences from those who fought for civil rights, grounding the movie's themes in reality. A music video and a notably good gag reel, featuring Liev Schreiber among others, add entertainment value. The inclusion of both DVD and UV digital copies offers flexibility for viewers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lee Daniels' The Butler: An American Story: Behind-the-scenes documentary with insights from cast and crew.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of nine scenes adding depth to the storyline.
• The Original Freedom Riders: Featurette with first-hand accounts from civil rights activists.
• Music Video: "You and I Ain't No More" by Gladys Knight and Lenny Kravitz.
• Gag Reel: A compilation of amusing flubs from the set.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray presentation of "Lee Daniels' The Butler" delivers a striking yet uneven cinematic experience that mirrors the tumultuous era it portrays. The movie endeavors to encapsulate the complexity of racism in 20th-century America through the lens of the White House butler, Cecil Gaines (portrayed with gravitas by Forest Whitaker). Drawing loosely from the real-life story of Eugene Allen, the narrative ambitions reshape Gaines into a Forrest Gump-like figure, witnessing and participating in pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Despite Whitaker's compelling performance and a noteworthy exploration of African American oppression, the film's historical liberties and a roster of Presidents depicted with varying degrees of success dilute its impact.

The production shines in its portrayal of Cecil Gaines' journey from a tragic childhood to a revered position in the White House, serving seven Presidents. This rags-to-riches story, highlighted by Whitaker's Oscar-worthy performance, provides an intimate look into the domestic life of a man striving for dignity and stability amid national upheaval. However, the casting missteps, particularly in the depiction of Presidents Eisenhower through Reagan, oscillate between fair and unconvincing, undermining the intended authenticity. Notably, James Marsden’s portrayal of Kennedy stands out, capturing a semblance of the President's charm and youthful vigor.

The narrative's attempt to tackle the sweeping scope of American racism and politics occasionally veers into oversimplification and revisionism. The dual storylines of Gaines' White House service and his son Louis' direct involvement in civil rights activism present a compelling contrast yet lack nuanced exploration. Furthermore, the film’s climax, which ties Gaines’ legacy with Barack Obama's election, feels overreaching, overshadowing its more profound reflections on individual agency and societal change. Despite its heart being in the right place, "The Butler" struggles to balance its ambition with coherence, resulting in a movie that enlightens as much as it frustrates.

The Butler," a film that aims to stitch a significant thread through the fabric of American history via the personal and professional journey of a White House butler, emerges as a mixed bag in its attempt. The narrative, ambitious in its scope, captures the evolution of the civil rights movement alongside a man's rise from humble beginnings to a revered position in history. Yet, it's this very ambition that becomes its Achilles' heel. On one hand, the movie unfolds a rich, compelling tale that intertwines the protagonist's growth with pivotal historical events, culminating in the epochal election of the nation's first African American president. This aspect alone makes the film a noteworthy watch, especially for those keen on history and political developments.

On the flip side, "The Butler" falters in execution. The casting choices provoke contemplation, as some actors seem glaringly out of place, leading to performances that range from unconvincing to mediocre. Moreover, the film’s liberties with historical accuracy are a double-edged sword. While creative freedom in storytelling is not uncommon, here it risks alienating viewers invested in the factual integrity of portrayed events. The portrayal of racial dynamics, particularly the oversimplified depiction of virtually all non-African American characters as racists, strikes a discordant note, failing to capture the nuanced reality. Despite these drawbacks, the Blu-ray release by Anchor Bay does not disappoint. The video quality is commendable, and the audio experience is excellent, complemented by a modest collection of supplementary content. These technical merits make it a worthwhile pick for either rental or purchase by devoted fans.

In conclusion, while "The Butler" falls short of its grand aspirations, it remains an engaging film for those with an interest in history and politics, albeit with caveats regarding its interpretation of historical events and character portrayals. The Blu-ray presentation by Anchor Bay stands out for its audiovisual quality, making it a valuable addition for collectors and casual viewers alike who can appreciate the film's narrative and historical significance despite its flaws.