Butter (I) (2011) User Reviews

A delightfully funny satire

[WothaDei · 6/10 · 1 October 2012]

Butter is a delightful little comedy that has most of its best jokes in the trailer but still manages to make you smile throughout. It is set around a 'Mastery in Butter Sculpting' competition which is very popular in Iowa. I just found out the competition has been a staple event at the Iowa State Fair for close to a century. Veteran sculptor Bob Pickler wants out but his much feared wife Laura is in no mood to give up just yet. There's a new kid in town with a knack for sculpting and more trouble arrives in the Pickler household in the form of a stripper. What follows is a surprisingly entertaining hour of satirical humor leading to a mushy climax.

Destiny is a foster child who lives out of a suitcase in all her homes in the hope that her real mother would turn up. She is unbelievably good at things and doesn't give herself any credit for it. Her latest foster parents are quite surprised when she decides to take up a traditionally redneck vocation. Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone play her immensely likable foster parents who suddenly add a warmth to the film, making it even more palatable.

As a political satire, the film pits a typically God-loving, semi- racist, conspicuously Republican Laura against a young African-American kid who has a way with words. Geddit? There's a dinner table scene, which later gets sculpted into butter, that reminded me of American Beauty. I suspect that was an intended nod.

The language is wonderfully profane, with most of the quick-fire curses flying out from the pretty mouths of Garner and Wilde. Comedies usually stage a huge setup around sex scenes, but Butter takes you by surprise on more than one occasion with the unlikeliest of people getting intimate with each other.

One doesn't have to look closer to see that the film has many problems. Bob hooking up with Brooke (Wilde) makes sense and the narrative flow leads up to it, but Laura doing it with her one time flame Boyd Bolton was completely out of place. I am not justifying Bob's actions and condemning Laura's; it's just that whatever she did was not to get back at Bob but to use Boyd's services and get back at Destiny. Kaitlen Pickler, played Ashley Greene, has a half-baked character and goes nowhere. She's a typical teenager who hates her family but that's not the issue. Her little experimental fling with the stripper Brooke is, shall we say, pointless. Wait, what? I cannot believe I am complaining about the hot, girl on girl action. Never mind.

Wilde is a firecracker as the stripper Brooke; she is the funniest even though her character hangs very loosely to the story. The Jackman cameo, which is what it is, felt a tad in-apposite as well. Actually, most of the actors felt underutilized as they didn't get enough screen-time. It always gets problematic when kids act like grown-ups. Destiny is a cool kid and all that but the final scene, with her advising Laura, was way too cheesy, or should I say, buttery.

The film's strength is its short run-time. At a little over 80 minutes, the film opens up quick, makes you chuckle and sometimes laugh, and wraps up before you worry about its problems. It is necessary for me to address these problems but I honestly didn't care much for them. I had a lot of fun watching it.

Not Perfect, Not Terrible. I Enjoyed It.

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 26 November 2012]

In small-town Iowa, an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town's annual contest.

Let me say right off the bat what I did not like about this film: the political angle. I did not mind the Newt Gingrich carving, but was it really necessary for the Picklers to be presented as Republicans? Their political views were not important -- their competitive spirit was.

That aside, it was pretty great. The ensemble cast is incredible -- Hugh Jackson, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde (who steals the show on her bicycle)? Awesome. Ashley Greene outside of Twilight? Incredible. And Alicia Silverstone, who I had completely forgotten existed, comes back in a big way.

Some of the humor here is weak, and some of it is a bit cheap (two sex scandals are a key part of the plot)... but for a film about carving butter, it all ends up being pretty decent.

Light hearted funny satire with a top notch cast

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 8 December 2012]

This light satirical comedy about a butter carving competition has a strong cast and an OK story. The plot is quite funny with some lol moments. There are some cute digs about race and ambition.

I have never been a huge Jennifer Garner fan (the over perky grin) but luckily it makes use of the talents of other fine actors especially Olivia Wilde as a stripper, Alicia Silverstone, and Ashley Greene as a teenage daughter. Hugh Jackman makes a small appearance.

I can see why it wasn't a box office success - it's more TV movie material with a A list movie cast. But I found it worth a watch just don't expect too much.

Uneven but, entertaining satirical comedy

[jaguiar313 · 7/10 · 20 December 2012]

Uneven but, at times, amusing offbeat comedy about the participants in a butter sculpture contest. When butter sculpture king, Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) is asked to step aside after 15 years in the spotlight, his vengeful, social climber wife, Laura (Jennifer Garner) decides to enter to win to keep the Pickler name at the top. When she comes up against a truly talented 10 year old orphan, Destiny (Yara Shahidi) the gloves come off as Laura Pickler fights to keep herself socially relevant. While the film isn't perfect, the script by Jason A. Micallef provides some fun satirical wit and director Jim Field Smith guides a good cast through the hit and miss material well enough to entertain. And while for the most part, Butter is a fun satire of middle America, it does have a tendency to divert attention to subplots that don't serve the story. No more evident then Bob's involvement with a hooker (Olivia Wilde) who then becomes involved with the contest and Bob's daughter (Ashley Greene). It provides some sex and spice to the film but, nothing to the plot as does Hugh Jackman's brief appearance as an old flame of Laura's. While the film's focus does wander, there is enough there to make this an amusing enough watch and the cast helps carry things well enough when it flounders. More like 6.5

cute, with some funny moments

[fullmoon7461-908-439866 · 7/10 · 6 October 2012]

Well the trailer makes it look much funnier than it is.. though I did laugh out loud a few times.. "Butter" tries to delve into the area of something like "Best in Show" or "Waiting for Guffman" where people take small-time events and blow their importance WAY out of proportion.

I wish it had been a bit longer to flesh out some of the characters better. LOVED Rob Cordry, who was very low-key compared to his usual roles.. he was great, as was the little girl who played Destiny. I didn't mind her adult speeches, as did some reviewers. She was really sweet.

If the script had been stronger and a bit more wicked with the satire this would be a strong comedy rather than just a decent one.

At least there wasn't a lovable 'man-child' anywhere to be seen (so tired of that branch of humor)

If you like films like I mentioned at the beginning of my review than give it a try, it's not a black comedy as some people said as it never goes very dark at all. Just a soft satire

Three point of view review.

[JackVenturo · 3 January 2017]

I Love butter on toast!.. Wait… wait... what? A movie about butter carving competitions? That sounds so dumb, but brilliant, fresh, new if it's done right and with the correct group of people. But it sounds so weird when you say it out loud! How did they pitch this!?

Jack "The Film Lover" says... We always complain about remakes, redos, reimagenings, sequels, prequels, shmequels. But that's all we have, so we keep going and we keep watching them. When something new and original comes into the mix, we fear it, we don't know how to take it in until we actually give an original thought a chance and get something magical like "BUTTER".

This movie was fresh and fun and had everything a movie lover would want; emotion, heart, comedy, story, characters who have character. This is another movie I had fun watching. It delivered great entertainment and escapism. There are seven celebrities on the "BUTTER" poster and the most important character of them all is not one of them. Yara Shahidi made the movie! This little girl has some chops and held her own. She showed you comedy and tragedy all in one small package of sassiness and tenderness. I really hope to see more of her in different roles and more movies.

Jack "The Filmmaker" says… You don't need seven celebrities to make a great movie great, you need a great story involving complex characters portrayed by talented actors. It just so happens that the actors in this movie are recognizable celebrities, but these celebrities have challenged themselves. They all play roles that are very different from what we are accustomed to and they do a marvelous job at it. Director Jim Field Smith has great timing and a smooth rhythm of filmmaking. The story develops quick and you are hooked. Jennifer Garner's character was very multi-layered. You hate her, you pity her, you don't understand her. You want to ask her "What is wrong with you?!" many times throughout the film. And as always she delivers. Olivia Wilde stole the show for me. She was completely comfortable in her own skin,she was fun to watch and it seems she had fun playing the role. If there is anyone who can make being trashy classy it's her. Rob Corddry who is always hilarious actually showed a lot of heart, being partnered with Alicia Silverstone was a bit weird for me until I saw them together and got use to it.

Jack "The Parent" says… Take your teen, no kids and no tweens. Unless you have already seen the movie and have memorized the correct scenes where to cover their eyes on a sex scene or have them well trained in the art of ear muffs. The sex scenes are mostly silhouettes and nothing is really shown there is a make out session and some other suggestive things as well as occasional curse word. Not really a movie made for the little ones.

Missed its Audience

[lonhuey-289-859583 · 7/10 · 6 July 2019]

This had all the feel of one of those made for TV Movies of the Week that were produced in the '70's. It contained all the elements of morality and preachiness that we expect from an afternoon special and a predictable conclusion where we all learn a moralistic fable lesson.

Simple story but well acted and a number of names that are surprising for a movie of this caliber. The characters are one dimensional but well played. I cannot for the life of me figure out why the language and adult situations were added. This could have been a PG rated movie easily and will not have a problem being edited for TV.

Not a waste of time but I can understand not wanting to shell out the price of a ticket.

Okayish

[blumdeluxe · 4/10 · 28 April 2019]

"Butter" tells the story of a talented politician and butter carver, whose wife tries to hold up the conservative and honorable image of the couple by competing at the local butter carving competition after her man is dismissed for winning to often. Within the competition, she has to face an orphanized girl and some other very special opponents and learns a lot about her marriage and herself.

I like the general plot choice because it dares to be bizarre. A film about carving butter is something.. different and that alone is a pleasure to have. Unfortunately the plot doesn't really make sense or at least just very loosely and the characters are so exaggerated that it is sometimes hard to watch. Even the moral at the end is more improvised than anything else. The film has some entertainment value in a sense that it doesn't get boring but that's pretty much all you get.

All in all this is probably supposed to be some kind of satire but looks a bit too much like your typical B-movie to be acknowledged as such.

Perfect For Some Laughs

[NyxEos · 9/10 · 9 October 2012]

I'll admit, when I watched this I didn't have particularly high hopes. I never put much hope into a comedy, because so often they either aren't funny at all or put every joke in the preview. However, I figured it deserved a chance considering my love of Olivia Wilde especially, but also the other big names like Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Garner, Ashley Greene, and so on.

Now, be warned, this is not the movie to watch if you expect to take anything seriously. That isn't to say it's a comedy about people doing stupid things and being immature, quite the opposite, but everything is taken in exaggeration. After all, it is a movie about sculpting butter, so don't expect some pulse pounding drama.

That being said, if you have a good sense of humour, and want to laugh, then this is the movie to watch. The acting was amazing from everybody, Garner gave me chills when angry, Wilde had me in tears from laughing, and Yara Shahidi was unexpectedly amazing in her role as the young foster child. I absolutely recommend it.

A Satrirical Slice of Mid-America

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 14 July 2017]

This movie essentially begins with a man named "Bob Pickler" (Ty Burrell) living in the state of Iowa and being the champion 15 years in a row for his butter sculptures at the annual state fair. His wife, "Laura Pickler" (Jennifer Garner) is extremely proud of this accomplishment and plans to use it to further advance her fortunes by having Bob run for political office. But that all changes one day when the organizers of the butter carving event ask Bob not to compete this year so that others can have a chance. Naturally, being the understanding type of person he is Bob reluctantly agrees. His wife, on the other hand, is incensed and sees this as an attempt to thwart her ambitions. To that effect, she announces that she will compete in his place instead. That being said, although Laura has some artistic talent she soon becomes distressed to learn that a young black orphan by the name of "Destiny" (Yara Shahidi) has also chosen to compete--and Destiny happens to have a natural artistic ability that is quite extraordinary. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that what made this film so entertaining was the way it tended to highlight some of the attitudes of certain people living in the "Bible Belt" of America. While they may profess to being Christian their actions clearly say otherwise. Yet--even though many of these scenes were quite funny in their own right-I must admit that there were a couple of scenes that were just plain vulgar and they detracted from what could have been a truly outstanding piece of comedy and satire. Even so, I enjoyed this movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

A lost opportunity, but not a waste of time

[ReelGA · 5/10 · 18 September 2012]

"Butter" hasn't received much press until just now as it is hitting the festival circuit. A trailer has yet to be seen and a release date has only recently been nailed down. All we knew about it was that the cast is full of good names, it is a satire built around a butter-carving competition and that director Jim Field Smith is only known for by-the-numbers romantic comedy "She's Out of My League." But somewhere, somehow, the name "Juno" was mumbled by someone and comparisons were just waiting to be made.

The question of similarity to "Juno" would be appropriately enough raised, but I'm afraid the similarity ends just past the 'Jennifer Garner movie' and 'Midwestern family ensemble comedy' labels. "Butter" has a bit of bite, but it lacks both the quirk and emotional depth that "Juno" had. The screenplay goes more for gags than being clever and fails to really shine outside a handful of scenes.

This is not to say the film isn't going to be surefire entertainment for many moviegoers. There were a few times in the film when I couldn't even hear a few lines because the whole house was laughing for so long. Garner, newcomer Yara Shahidi, Olivia Wilde and Kristen Schaal all do some comedic heavy-lifting. Shahidi provides a bit of tenderness as both the narrator and the heart of the film. Garner, meanwhile, gives us a performance we haven't ever seen from her. She will be an Oscar player one of these days.

I went into this one hoping to be surprised by just how great it was, but not expecting to be. I wasn't surprised, but I wasn't disappointed either. A lost opportunity, but not a waste of time.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

Check out more reviews by Cameron McAllister at Reel Georgia - www.ReelGA.com

Great Dark Comedy!

[scissorhands__emily · 8/10 · 5 October 2012]

I thought this movie was hilarious! It is a black comedy all the way though, so if you don't care for that style of humor you probably won't get this movie. Many of the characters are exaggerated and the plot line itself is a bit over the top, but that is the purpose of a dark comedy. All of the actors are great in this! Jennifer Garner really shines as the more villainous Laura Pickler, and it's nice to see her in a more against type role. Olivia Wilde also stood out as Brooke the local stipper. However, the biggest stand out was Yara Shahidi as 10 year old Destiny. She did an excellent job in the role and really brought heart to the movie. Overall I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but if you enjoy black comedies this is one worth checking out.

Get a taste

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 26 March 2014]

I'm not exactly a fan of butter. The actual one, you can eat (fry or sculpture or whatever else might come to mind). But the movie I watched was really funny. I didn't expect it to be so good. Of course it does have clichés and you know where this is going without me having to tell you, but the way it takes to reach its goal is really noteworthy! Especially the fact that it goes all out and got an "R"-rating in America! All that with a kid in a main role.

But what a kid! She is really good and I defy anyone not seeing her talent (also apparent in the blooper reel that is included on the disc). It doesn't stop there though: You have Olivia Wilde (who makes good on her last name), Jennifer Garner really going for it. Especially when it comes to combining a sexual encounter with light humor (not the only scene that handles that combination though). If you can dig that ... eat it

Worse than expected

[junkmail-385 · 3/10 · 24 March 2013]

I didn't have high hopes for this film but what I saw was a terrible film. From the reviews, I expected some nastiness but this script quickly entered the realm of utterly distasteful and nonsensical/absurd. The first 10 minutes or so were good. The film seemed to hold promise for actually being good. But then the plot line became sick, with numerous non sequiturs. Four-letter words are flung without a proper context having been laid. It's like the writers had an inkling of a good idea but were not creative enough to carry it off. Who is so stupid as to sign off on a project like this? And Jennifer Garner was that desperate for money?

For writers who lack the imagination, the story of the REAL butter lady from the Iowa State Fair would have made for a good movie without even trying.

an inspirational story with an unusual background

[Gordon-11 · 12 April 2013]

This film is about an ambitious woman trying to carry on her husband's butter sculpting legacy.

I found the topic of butter sculpting rather unusual, and therefore intriguing. the plot itself was a nice surprise, it's fast paced in the sense that the first competition already finished aid thirty minutes into the film. Destiny is a captivating character, her transformation and her ability to view life in such a positive way is remarkable. the stripper subplot is interesting as well and she has a memorably rebellious character. I found the film quite inspirational, even though the ending is a little contrived, as Jennifer Garner didn't question what happened in the competition.

Butter fooled me because by the end I realized I was watching Margarine

[Ed-Shullivan · 6/10 · 17 September 2017]

After watching the opening credits and seeing the well known cast who were starring in this 2011 comedy Butter, Mrs. Shullivan decided to stay up late and watch the film with myself. As it was very late Mrs. Shullivan unknowingly has become the true barometer of how I will eventually rate this film. You see, if she falls asleep early in the film then it must be a dud. If she stays up until the films' end credits then the film must be entertaining sufficiently enough to keep Mrs. Shullivan from her comfortable bed and pillow. (I will give you the resulting film score at the end of my review.)

Jennifer Garner and Ty Burrell play a married couple named Laura and Bob Pickler who live a very privileged lifestyle. They have a beautiful up scale style home and they are raising a college aged daughter named Kaitlin (played by Ashley Greene) who dislikes her own parents as they put their silly butter sculpture contests ahead of any other family values. Kaitlin is at that rebellious age and her hormones and excitement get the best of her when she finds out that the mysterious hot lady at their front door who wants to talk to her dad, Bob Pickler, is actually a stripper named Brooke (played by Olivia Wilde) and Brooke is demanding a $600 payment from her dad for services recently rendered.

While Laura and Bob Pickler are busily engaged with their hands in their current butter sculpture, their daughter is also busily engaged with her tongue in Brooke the stripper's mouth, learning how to climax properly. Of course this scene has nothing to do with the butter competition but subconsciously, we as parents may get a chuckle out of the scene but may also choose to ask our pwn teenage children what they have been up to lately.

The butter carving competition heats up and comes down to the championship battle between Laura Pickler and a cute little 10 year old foster child named Destiny. Destiny is played by the very seasoned child actress named Yara Shahidi, most recently known for playing the oldest teenage daughter Zoey Johnson on the hit comedy TV series Black-ish. Now Destiny has found the one thing that she is extremely good at and that is sculpturing butter.

So Mrs. Shullivan was entertained enough such that she stayed up and watched the entire film without falling asleep on the couch or worse yet, abruptly getting up and shuffling off to bed. No Mrs. Shullivan stayed up and when the film ended we agreed that we enjoyed the film but it was the film that ended rather abruptly and not Mrs. Shullivan. I personally felt that the ending came too soon and if I were attempting to draw a parallel I would have to say that I thought I purchased butter, the film only delivered me the lower staple of margarine.

I give the film Butter a decent 6 out of 10 rating. The film is certainly targeted for adults who enjoy a bit of raunchiness with their butter. Children under the age of sixteen (16) should not be watching Butter as the language and some sexually inferred scenes are a bit too raunchy for a younger audience.

"Butter": Better on Toast than on Film

[gally13-158-294515 · 6/10 · 3 October 2011]

Director Jim Field Smith's sophomore foray into feature film comedy fails to break the boorish mold of what little we've come to expect of them: fleeting fun, cheap laughs, and tiresome attempts of tossing in anything redeemable. "Butter" attempts and misses "The Hangover"'s gritty charm and "Superbad"'s unadulterated and endearing honesty. However, it does seem to stride passed Smith's mediocre 2010 teen comedy "She's Out of My League,"-- this is perhaps due to "Butter"'s unfamiliar gusto, with its wacky butter carving premise and even wackier cast of Middle America characters.

Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) is white America's humble and handsome Michelangelo, a masterful craftsman of butter-carved sculptures. His hilarious renditions of "The Last Supper" and a scene from "Schindler's List" enamor his red-neck community but also stoke the pride and aspirations of his self-important wife, Laura Pickler (Jennifer Garner), whose "mavericky" gung-ho-ness satirically smacks of Sarah Palin. When Bob decides to modestly end his victorious, decade-long reign as champion and pass his buttery torch, Laura becomes absurdly livid, suspecting their successes as everyone's envy and cannot fathom this year's First Prize going to anyone but a Pickler. So with no experience of the craft, and with some mantra-born confidence absorbing lines from "The Secret", she struts to the competition sign-up table and declares herself a participant.

Only she's not alone: to Laura's dismay, two more contestants vie for buttery glory, and the insults and connivery that follow in this triangle of (adorable, but more often annoying) treachery make the cake of this flimsy film. One is a humorously vengeful stripper named Brooke (Olivia Wilde) and the other is a strong and clever orphan named Destiny (Yara Shahidi).

Wilde's Brooke is a perpetually scantily-clad, sarcastic, saucy- mouthed, sex bomb-shell that rides a small child's BMX bike. She gets the guys' juices flowing and leaves everyone's eyebrows levitating above their heads. But that's all the former Dr. Hadley of "House" fame seems to aspire to, mere Megan Fox eye-candy. Brooke only joins the competition to remind Bob of her unpaid "services" rendered unto him in the backseat of his mini-van.

Destiny's motivations, on the other hand, are pure and estimable. After enduring travesty after travesty of awkward and inept foster parents, she finally lands a nice couple that's more promising and capable of fostering her untapped artistic talent. Mr. and Mrs. Emmet (Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone) are a smiling white couple, happy to make a difference to an underprivileged and disenfranchised little girl. They provide for her and encourage her interests in butter- carving, as good parents should. Here it seems "Butter" has found its heart, something redeemable within the crass and the obscene.

But perhaps not. Destiny, if you haven't already guessed, is African American. It's just hard not to cringe when Shahidi performs with so much spirit and charm—on more than one occasion she adorably cracks wise about the "weirdness" of "crackers" —because what casts a dreary shadow over her is the unashamed and unaware racist undertones and stereotypes stupidly frolicking about. Of course it's only the white couple that can provide a stable and caring family, and of course it's only they that have the benevolence to take Destiny in. Needless to say, it is drug addiction that cost Destiny her loving mother.

This is disappointing because it manages to eclipse what "Butter" did so well—namely being an above average comedy that makes you laugh. Much of this movie is after all a "liberal" poke and jab at the crazed "conservatives" and God-fearing folk of Middle America. They ostensibly trump "family values" over everything and the Pickler's are apparently representative of this image. Smith doesn't fail in gleefully toying with these conservative "truths". Laura Pickler is actually a step-mom, and the Picklers' daughter, Kaitlen (Ashley Greene), is an attractive and bored lesbian that despises her "retarded" parents. Bob cheats on his wife only to feel the apathetic hand of Laura chiding him like a teenager out past curfew. Even Laura eventually skirts her conservative morality, cheating on Bob with Boyd Bolton (Hugh Jackman), a grinning, cowboy car dealer with a big hat. He later thanks God for his sexual exploit in the front seat of his shiny corvette, "You're more awesome than I thought, God! Okay, bye."

So "Butter", like butter, can be good or bad, depending on how you use it. Enjoy the taste and accept the fatty consequences, or make the effort to settle on something healthier. But more often than not, it's best left in the fridge.

Finds the comedy and odd-behaviour in a butter carving competition

[napierslogs · 6/10 · 9 February 2013]

"Butter" takes place in Iowa, most likely smack dab in the middle of it, in a really small town that survives on its dairy industry. So much so, that they have a butter carving competition that is the be-all and end- all to celebrity status within the community. The King of Butter is revered. That title belongs to Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) who is retiring from the butter competition but finds no solace at home.

He is married to Laura Pickler (Jennifer Garner) who is a real balls- buster, clawing her way to control within this small town. He is also seeking out gratification at a local strip club where he gets in over his head with bad girl Brooke (Olivia Wilde). Meanwhile Ethan (Rob Corddry) and Jill Emmett (Alicia Silverstone) are new foster parents to young black child, Destiny (Yara Shahidi), who finds herself armed only with her wit in a sea of white people.

Yes, the film is about butter carving, and yes it is exactly as funny as you would expect that to be. It can go a bit over-the-top at times, but particularly Corddry and young Shahidi handle the extreme humour with ease. She's easily the best young actress in a comedy that I've seen in a long time. Wilde and Garner are able to do their own thing, throwing reality out the window, and just having fun. Kristen Schaal plays one of Laura's butter carving competitors and remains unfunny since she attempted to find a touch-point for reality in her character, when, of course, there isn't one.

There are a few ill-advised side plots and everything is extreme, but then again, it is a dark comedy so the jokes cross lines as the genre dictates. It gets dramatic, which for those enjoying the comedy, seems like an unwelcome departure. Overall it is funny, and quirky, and odd. And Hugh Jackman plays a used car salesman cowboy. Take all that as you will.

IT MELTED ALL OVER THE PLACE...!

[masonfisk · 4/10 · 30 July 2018]

Like a companion piece to Election, Alexander Payne's magna opus to the steel hearted, uber frau willing to steamroll over every & all people in order to get ahead, Butter turns over simple Midwestern values on its head by exposing the hypocrisies & irregularities of the common man or in this case woman. Missing more than hitting, Butter churns (sorry!) at a predictable pace occasionally striking the scared cows it aims at w/a game cast including Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde, Ty Burrell & 'Clueless" herself, Alicia Silverstone but unlike Payne's films which often pierce their subject matters so hard it hurts, Butter barely leaves a bruise.

Worth Watching

[jeydeeofficial · 8/10 · 29 September 2012]

this movie is overall good. good movie casting choice and the storyline has successfully conveyed a meaningful message to the audience. it also has reflected the lives of the people in the America so it is relateble to almost everyone. even though I feel that there are a few unneeded scenes and a few details which have not been mentioned in the movie. all I have to say is that I loved it, it's funny and meaningful and I recommend everyone to watch it too. I don't understand why some people think it's silly and stupid when I actually cried at the touching ending. I don't think it's silly or stupid because I actually did learn something from this movie. 8/10.

Butter Sculpting as a Political Metaphor Yields Good Laughs Upfront But Fizzles by the End

[EUyeshima · 6/10 · 11 September 2012]

I have to give Jennifer Garner credit for playing a despicable character in sheep's clothing with such unfettered brio in this 2012 comedy, one that aspires to be a darkly eccentric political satire but ultimately becomes too soft-centered for its own good. That outcome is a real shame since the stellar cast is obviously quite game for something edgier, the women in particular, and the scabrous tone works well for at least the first half of the movie. Director Jim Field Smith and first-time writer Jason Micallef certainly make their political proclivities clear with their broad caricature of corn-belt values and status-hungry elitists who intend on attaining power any way they can. With her constantly pinched voice, crisp color-coordinated outfits, perfect hair and make-up and a triple strand of pearls strung tightly around her neck, Garner is obviously playing Laura Pickler as an amalgam of Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman but with a more naked malevolence toward anyone who stands in her way toward the White House.

Even though her congenial husband Bob, the Iowa State Fair's 15-time butter sculpting champion, is asked by the judges to bow out of the latest competition, Laura is not about to relinquish her powerful position as queen of the fair and decides to enter the contest herself. However, she faces unexpected competition from a ten-year-old African- American child named Destiny, who has been moving from one foster home to another with her packed suitcase in tow. She somehow maintains a level head about her life as she tries to figure out what her true talent is. The answer lies in butter. For most of the first hour, the film provides a lot of easy laughs at the expense of Middle America conservatism and Tea Party stereotypes. It was clever to cast Ty Burrell since he plays Bob as a slightly duller variation on his classic portrayal of dimly lit Phil on "Modern Family", but he's quickly relegated to the sidelines here. The first butter sculpting contest is set up quite amusingly with the addition of two other contestants: Carol-Ann, a devoted fan girl of Bob's played with ditzy dexterity by Kristen Schaal ("30 Rock"), and a vengeful, hard-edged stripper named Brooke, who is waiting for a $600 payment from Bob for services rendered.

As an unsavory character who wants desperately to annihilate Laura's dreams of higher status, Olivia Wilde is a genuine comic revelation who almost steals the entire movie as Brooke. Having just seen her as the overly patient, put-upon girlfriend in "People Like Us", I am surprised at how bracingly funny she is here in her 180-degree turn as a foul-mouthed nihilist trying to look tough riding on a girl's bicycle. Playing what has to be considered the too-good-to-be-true Obama figure, Yara Shahidi brings quiet depth to Destiny and makes her feeling of isolation palpable even as her foster parents show their unconditional love for her. As the liberal-minded couple who take her into their home, Rob Corddry ("Seeking a Friend for the End of the World") tamps down his antic comic style just enough to resonate, while Alicia Silverstone ("Clueless") makes a welcome return as the one likable grown woman in the story. Although the movie has a sharper edge than "The Campaign", Micallef's screenplay reaches a certain point where you begin to realize that there is little to Laura's motivations beyond her small-minded ambition.

It's at this juncture in the story that Hugh Jackman shows up as her former flame Boyd Bolton, a successful car dealer who still holds a torch for Laura and colludes with her to ensure her victory at the fair. In only a few scenes, Jackman hams it up considerably, especially in a silly prayer scene. Phyllis Smith ("Bad Teacher"), on the other hand, has a few sharply funny moments as the continually flummoxed contest moderator. The final showdown feels rather repetitive with little variety in the build-up of suspense and a denouement that feels far too predictable and contrived to make the story's resolution feel like it was earned. Nevertheless, the central concept of butter sculpture as the means of driving the absurdist plot somehow works. Seeing all the blocks of yellow lard turn into hilariously inappropriate creations like Schindler's List, T-Rex Eating Girl, The Last Supper, and even JFK's assassination provides the film's biggest laughs. At the same time, in a dilemma that it shares with "The Campaign", I just wish the filmmakers maintained their initial audacity all the way through instead of slapping on an ending that lets the story sputter out insipidly.

Slow, pointless movie. Barely worth a watch

[lethalweapon · 4/10 · 12 November 2012]

Another movie about a niche hobby. This one is all about sculpting artwork out of butter. Some people who take it way too seriously.

We follow the life of an orphan child, Destiny, who is learning to adjust to her being cycled through various prospective adopted parents, at the same time looking for some passion/ skill she is good at. Meanwhile, we are also shown into the window of the reigning family of the Picklers - Laura Pickler being the ambitious social climber with political ambitions, and her husband, Bob Pickler, being the talented artist - butter carver extraordinaire.

Bob has decided to step down from the competition, giving other people a chance at the... sport? In any case, Laura doesn't take this lightly, and decides to compete herself so that the prestigious and coveted prize stays in the family. And she's willing to whatever it takes to win it. In the middle of this, we have trouble in the Pickle family; a marriage on the rocks, a hooker crying foul, a rebellious daughter who's acting out against her step-mom...

A watchable movie, but not particularly engrossing. Timepass.

Butter spreads easily on the big screen.

[zblinks · 8/10 · 19 September 2012]

"Butter" penned by upcoming writer Jason Micallef has plenty of flavor. The story is fun and uncomplicated. Yes, there are not-so thinly veiled political undertones that enrich the film, this is an easy watching fun film. I thought Micallef did a fine job balancing the very real world of butter sculpting competitions from the Great Plains states and the absurdity of this unreal black comedy.

Olivia Wilde is a tour d' force in this film. She plays the drifting, sexy Delilah with control and command. No doubt she steals her scenes or is allowed to steal the scenes from the rest of this straight laced line up of characters.

Not to be out done, Jennifer Garner offers a fresh and unpredictable performance. We have grown to love the often tender Garner, it was fun to hate her this time.

Ty Burell gives us more of what we love him for. Mr. Kicked in the Groin, has never been more masterfully perfected than by Burell.

If I could I would buy stock in Yara Shahidi. This young actress will win your heart and have you rooting for her from her first scene. Shahidi is surrounded by a strong cast but she finds her own light and performs above the fray.

The art direction, photography, costumes and other creative rolls are completed well within the expectations of well funded Hollywood backed indie film.

The Weinstein Co with their RADiUS distribution are are again testing the VOD prior to theatrical distribution model. Only time will tell how this will work out but Itunes users are popping for the $9.99 rental. I think the multi-platform distribution model will be perfected and small projects will benefit in the end.

A lacking concept but not a terrible movie.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 6/10 · 25 September 2012]

This is not a movie that shall win any big awards and its a movie that most people most likely will never get to watch but that doesn't mean it's being a terrible movie though. It just happens to be one that is lacking in certain departments and never makes a big or lasting impact with anything but is still being good enough one to watch.

The foremost problem with the movie is that it's being one that solely relies on its concept and not necessarily its comedy writing. It thinks that having a funny and absurd concept equals a funny comedy but it of course really doesn't work like that. It means that the movie is somewhat lacking in its writing and most definitely with its comedy as well. The characters for instance never come quite across, as fun, quirky or likable enough ones, while this was obviously the approach the film-makers were aiming for.

It tried to be like a fun, cute, heartfelt, warm, independent comedy, with a young kid in it, playing an important role but the movie really is lacking the right required warmth and depth to ever work out as a cute and involving one. Again, you should blame the writing, that besides focuses on far too many different characters.

You also feel that the movie really could had used a good and well known comedy actor in it, playing one of the lead roles. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great and well known actors in this movie but what it is missing is a charismatic comedy actor who can handle its comedy and timing better and turn some average comedy scenes into something truly hilarious.

There are plenty of well known actors in this (Jennifer Garner, Alicia Silverstone, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Ty Burrell, etcetera) but none of them truly makes a lasting impression. Besides, some of them only appear in small roles, such as Hugh Jackman. And while Olivia Wilde is fine, in more than one way, her character sort of goes to waste in this movie. I could see the movie its intentions with her but as it turned out, her character is actually being one the movie could had easily done without. It's also partly due to it that the movie lets her do some very random stuff at times, that have nothing to do with the movie its main story.

The movie also shows some hints of a social satire in it but it just isn't being quite witty enough to let it all truly work out. Again, it's a sign of the movie its aspirations and intentions but due to it writing, it just never takes off.

It's still an harmless and fun enough little movie to watch but at the same time it also is really being a movie you could real easily do without.

6/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Truly dreadful with a few fun moments

[jsteiger · 1/10 · 19 January 2013]

This is, without a doubt. one of the dumbest, most offensively stupid "satires" ever put to film. Apparently, this was supposed to be an allegory. The Jennifer Garner character was supposed to represent Sarah Palin and modern conservative values, and the young African-American child was supposed to represent Barak Obama.

Let's try a little thought experiment.

Imagine for a moment a movie in which all the characters save one are African-American. In fact, in this entire large Midwestern area, there is one Caucasian person, a lovely child, sensitive, intelligent, incredibly gifted artistically. Though occasionally subjected to racism from the African-American characters, she is wise beyond her years -- she forgives them and actually understands them. Through her charm, wisdom, and artistry, she transforms several of their lives and brings them closer together.

Many of the African-American characters are plagued by serious personality defects -- they are selfish, provincial, jealous. One of the cooler and more sympathetic characters is a foul-mouthed prostitute.

Stop. Stop. What? You can't imagine such a movie? Of course you can't! Because in modern, "liberal" Hollywood, you could never make such a movie poking fun at racism, intolerance, and constricted value systems within the African-American community.

But reverse the races, and you have "Butter" exactly as it plays out.

Actually, there were a few charming moments in the film, but something this dumb doesn't deserve an audience, As noted critic Lisa Schwarzbaum put it as she gave it a D+ rating in Entertainment Weekly, if you are intolerant, and condescending, with a left-wing perspective, you'll love this film.