President Barrack Obama Praises Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey in 'Lee Daniel's The Butler'

President Barrack Obama recently praised "Lee Daniel's The Butler."

During a radio interview the President reveald that he teared up during the film. He said, "I teared up thinking about not just the butlers who worked here in the White House, but an entire generation of people who were talented and skilled. But because of Jim Crow and because of discrimination, there was only so far they could go. And yet with dignity and tenacity, they got up and worked every single day and put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids."

Obama also shared some of his favorite scenes and said, "My favorite part was probably some of the jokes Cuba Gooding Jr. told, but we can't repeat them on the air."

The president also praised the actors, particularly Oprah Winfrey and lead star Forest Whitaker. "I thought Forest Whitaker was wonderful. And Oprah, my girl, she can act. She's just a wonderful actress, so I'm glad they did it," said President Obama. 

The president also spoke of his encounters with the White House butlers when he first arrived at the White House in 2008. "When Michelle and the girls and I first arrived, they could not have been kinder to us and warmer to us. And part of it, I suppose, is they look at Malia and Sasha and they say, 'This looks like my grandbaby,' or 'This looks like my daughter.' I think for them to have a sense that we've come that far was a powerful moment for them, and certainly a powerful moment for us. We love them to death. They look after us just wonderfully," he said. 

"The Butler" is currently in theaters and has topped the box office for two weekends. The film has been praised by critics and is being billed as a top Oscar contender. The Wienstein Company is handling distribution.