Sometimes there are movies that seem poorly made and unorganized, but despite the fallbacks you walk out of the theater being blown away. Such is the case with “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Daniels directs a film surrounding the life of Cecil Gaines, a black man born into a rough life. Through perseverance Gaines made himself into one of the most memorable butlers the world has ever seen.

Forrest Whitaker plays the part of Gaines, and while the cast for “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” is tremendous, no one will deny that Whitaker steals the show in terms of performance. The audience becomes captivated as they see this humble man in the nation’s capital go through straining life troubles. The stress of taking a new job, the stress of having a son unwilling to compromise and the stress of bearing your family’s well being seem amplified with the performance of the memorizing Whitaker.

While watching “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” one cannot help but be reminded of the 1994 hit film, “Forrest Gump.” Throughout “The Butler,” one witnesses America change as it goes through traumatic experiences such as the civil rights movement and the controversy surrounding Vietnam. Moments of historical footage are weaved into the film, and Daniels does an exceptional job of making the film flow with the historical additions.

Through the eyes of the Gaines family, the audience witnesses the toll that the divisive events in the movie had on a seemingly stable family. The most alarming yet possibly engaging aspect of “Lee Daniel’s The Butler” comes when Cecil begins a spat with his son Louis, who is played by David Oyelowo. The family feud lasts for years, and it pushes the audience, making viewers wince at the awkward and painful personal moments the two share both privately and publicly.

Credit must be given to the supporting cast around Whitaker, and in particular Oyelowo. The duo also teamed up in the past for the 2006 critically acclaimed hit “The Last King Of Scotland,” and their chemistry is apparent. Their arguments are filled with passion, much like the performance of Oprah Winfrey.

The infamous entertainer and talk show host reminds the world that she is filled with true talent, and her presentation of Cecil’s wife, Gloria, is engaging to watch. Throughout the film viewers can’t help but rise and fall on the roller coaster of Gloria’s unstable psyche. Her battle with alcoholism and adultery isn’t a distraction from the film; it’s a welcomed aspect that makes “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” hit a much deeper chord than anticipated.

Daniels is an up-and-coming director whose most acclaimed film to date was back in 2008,“Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” While “The Butler” falls short of that predecessor, there is no doubting many actors in this most recent endeavor of his will be in the Oscar/Golden Globe discussion.

“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” bypasses a sometimes rough narrative with tremendous performances and arousing character development.