Movie Review - "Butter"

The 2012 comedy called "Butter" is strange to say the least but it's also one of the most original films I've seen in a long time. While at times I felt the film fell a little short despite it's very strong cast, all in all "Butter" comes together to form a mildly humorous, entertaining, and heart felt film. After all, who doesn't love Butter??

Set in the competitive and artful world of butter carving at the Iowa state fair, Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) is the undisputed king of butter and has been for 15 years. When the judges behind the contest feel it's time Bob should pass the torch and give another butter sculptor a chance to shine as the champion, it's Bob's wife Laura Pickler (Jennifer Garner) who refuses to let Bob comply with their request. Laura Pickler isn't one to step aside from what she feels her family deserves and isn't afraid to do anything to stay atop the butter carving world, even if it means it's time for her to take the carving to her own hands.

Meanwhile, the film also follows a young girl named Destiny (Yara Shahidi) who after being passed from one foster home to another, finds herself in the care of the loving couple Ethan Emmet (Rob Corddry) and his wife Jill (Alicia Silverstone). Destiny soon discovers her own artistic talents and sees the upcoming butter carving competition as a way to express her talents. Destiny and Laura Pickler won't be the only ones carving for the top spot however. After a heated argument, Bob Pickler makes the mistake of having a moment of passion with an over the top stripper named Brooke (Olivia Wilde) who wants nothing more than to see Laura loose - even if Brooke isn't the one to beat her. Who will come out as the winner of the most intense and scandalous butter competition the Iowa State fair has ever known? Hugh Jackman, Ashley Greene, and Kristen Schaal, and Phyllis Smith round out the cast playing supporting roles.

Yara Shahidi is by far the little star of this film as she plays the young and adorable Destiny. You can't help but instantly fall in love with her. To be honest, it was her portrayal of the young orphan and the charming work by Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone as her foster parents that made me enjoy the film as much as I did. Of course I can't overlook Olivia Wilde's great work as the outrageous Brooke who offers most of the laughs to be had during the movie. Garner also shows off her strong acting skills by playing the ruthless and "witchy" Laura Pickler. "Butter" might have a few holes in the story and some parts are a bit over the top but there was enough there to keep me entertained for an hour and a half and it's a film I'd give 7 out of 10. "Butter" is rated R for some language and sexual references, check out the trailer for the film here.