If you’ve ever seen an interview with filmmaker Lee Daniels, you know that he’s not the type to bite his tongue. He has bravado and confidence that seemingly explains why his films have such a raw and unique feel to them. When you watch a film by Lee Daniels, you know you’re going to be in for a pretty wild experience. But, then you have “The Butler,” which throws the whole theory out of the window.
You see, “The Butler” earned all sorts of awards consideration in 2013, after becoming a critical and box office hit. And the film’s tone and style don’t really scream “Lee Daniels film.” Apparently, there’s a good reason for that.
Speaking to Vulture, Daniels talks about his experience on his critically-acclaimed film, specifically working with Harvey Weinstein, and why his mother is to blame for “The Butler.”
“Here’s the thing with Harvey: I dug Harvey,” said the filmmaker. “I knew what I was walking into. I told Harvey, ‘Do not fuck with me, because I don’t want to end up in the New York Post looking like a crazed animal fighting you.’ So we had mutual respect for each other.”
While it may seem like harsh words to say to any studio head, no matter his reputation, Daniels explains that “Do not fuck with me” actually was in reference to Weinstein’s well-known penchant for seriously changing films he releases in the editing bay after they’ve been handed to him from a director.
“Don’t touch my movie,” said Daniels about what his words to Weinstein truly meant. “And he didn’t. And unlike many other people, I got every penny that I’m owed from him.”
If you watch “The Butler” after seeing the other films in the director’s career, which include “Precious” and “The Paperboy,” as well as films he produced like “Monster’s Ball” and “The Woodsman,” it’s clear that his 2013 historical drama doesn’t necessarily “fit” with his other work. The PG-13 period film really doesn’t gel with his raw, gritty, and usually vulgar sensibilities. And according to Daniels, there’s a reason for that.
“I really did ‘The Butler’ for her,” said Daniels. “It took everything I had to restrain myself to do that PG-13 film. It felt like I was handcuffed. I did ‘The Butler’ to shut my mother up and to show people that I can play buttoned-up if I have to. I can keep the camera still. It’s fucking like watching molasses dry, but I can.”
Seeing these comments, it’s clear that Lee Daniels probably won’t be making any PG-13 “Oscar bait” films anytime soon. As you can see through the course of the interview, which is well worth the read, the filmmaker is one of the most outspoken and honest directors out there. And as seen with his experience with “The Butler,” he’s the type of guy that won’t mince words to get what he wants.