Los Angeles: Lee Daniels’ The Butler has found a supporter in none other than President Barack Obama who teared up while watching the movie about a White House butler who served seven presidents over three decades.
“I teared up thinking about not just the butlers who worked here in the White House, but an entire generation of people who were talented and skilled. But because of Jim Crow and because of discrimination, there was only so far they could go,” Obama told radio host Tom Joyner.
“And yet with dignity and tenacity, they got up and worked every single day and put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids.”
Joyner, who interviewed Obama along with radio morning show co-host Sybil Wilkes, asked the president to name his favorite part of the movie. “My favorite part was probably some of the jokes Cuba Gooding Jr told, but we can’t repeat them on the air,” said Obama, who also liked the acting by Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.
“I thought Whitaker was wonderful. And Oprah, my girl, she can act. She’s just a wonderful actress, so I’m glad they did it.”
Loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, the film stars Whitaker as an African-American, who becomes a unique eye witness to history while serving seven presidents in the White House. Obama also talked about his relationship with some of the African-American butlers currently working at the White House.
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