Film: So many films claim to be “based on a true story,” and Lee Daniels’ The Butler is one that bases itself very loosely on the biography of Eugene Allen, an African-American who served presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan. From his lofty perch in the White House, he had a unique view of the evolving civil rights situation in the country, and that is the heart of this involving, occasionally overwrought movie. Daniels (Precious, The Paperboy) and screenwriter Danny Strong felt the need to fictionalize Allen’s history, turning him into Cecil Gaines, giving him two rebellious sons and an alcoholic wife (Oprah Winfrey). Still, Forest Whitaker gives a performance worthy of an Oscar nomination, and a parade of stars — from Robin Williams to John Cusack to Alan Rickman — play the presidents with varying success. For those who lived through those days, The Butler will be a reminder of those combative days. Those who were too young to remember will find it eye-opening, fictional though it might be. Opening wide in the region this weekend.
Theater: Miami’s Mad Cat Theatre Company knows how to be provocative, and proves it again with the title of its latest world premiere, Blow Me, by Jessica Farr. No, it’s not about THAT, but instead an unconventional biography of real-life fashion icon Isabella Blow, former fashion editor at Tatler and Vogue who discovered a handful of major supermodels and designers. But she suffered from bipolar disorder and attempted suicide seven times before succeeding. Erin Joy Schmidt plays Blow in a wild and woolly production directed by Paul Tei in the company’s new performance space at the Miami Theatre Center in Miami Shores. It opens this weekend, plays through Sept. 1, with tickets available through Ovation Tix, (866) 811-4111.
Art: The Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, which moved off Lake Worth’s Lake Avenue to J Street earlier this year, is finding its groove in its new neighborhood, which is an intriguing little pocket of businesses that fit right into the Lake Worth arts scene. Friday night, the gallery opened an exhibition of six artists —Marsha Balbier, David Fiore, Gregory Hubbard, Robert ben Kline, Rickie Leiter and Ken Swicegood — in what the gallery says is its largest such exhibition ever. This gallery is all about 3-dimensional art, so expect jewelry, fused glass, mobiles and other artwork, and probably no small amount of whimsy. Clay Glass Metal Stone is at 15 South J St., hours are Sunday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. call 588-8344 for more information.