A seemingly endless string of civil rights documentaries, realistic fictions, and films based on true stories can be dug up and have generally the same air to them. This is not the case with The Butler. The difference in this film is the broad time span the movie based on.

The movie is not simply about racial issues of the mid-20^th century, but also the generational gaps between the youth fighting for a better future and the previous generation who had grown up in an even harder time.

Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) was born and raised in the early 20^th century on a cotton farm. During this time, he had witnessed his father shot by a white man he would later have to serve. Upon coming of age, he chose to leave the farm for opportunity and to protect his own safety. After years of hard work, he eventually finds himself working as a butler for the president.

The films main focus is on the difference gap between Cecil and his son Louis’s (David Oyelowo) lifestyle. After seeing his father shot at the age of eight, Cecil had adopted a priority of survival rather than a desire to be treated equally. His son is highly political and participates in sit ins, becomes a freedom rider, later becomes an affiliate of Dr. Martin Luther King and joins the Black Panthers.

Historically speaking the interesting factor of the movie was the evolution of the racial climate during Cecil’s lifetime. He was born in a time when racial violence went totally unpunished and lived to see the election of President Barack Obama.

It is a bit of a stretch to sell the audience the importance of Cecil and his family. Nearly every time civil rights legislation is passed in the 20^th century, Cecil has a conversation with the president shortly before. Louis seems to be at the center of every major race event in the south for nearly 40 years of history. At one point, it mentions that he was arrested 16 times in two years.

The importance of this story is embellished by the fact almost none of this movie is based on fact. There was an African American butler who served for a large amount of time in the white house. He did not have a son who was a civil rights activist and no evidence exists that he influenced the legislation pushed by any presidents.

The movie is a must see for history buffs and those with a fascination for the racial history in the states. While some odd plot events seemed at times unbelievable and some celebrities were cast just to sell the film, the writing and premise make up for these flaws in whole. To me this is what will mark the beginning of the fall season in film.