The Cuckold (2009) User Reviews

Cultural Enrichment

[roxxer-06856 · 10/10 · 21 January 2016]

Prior to watching this flick, I was a big fan of Jonathan Butler's current work in TV. Butler is the producer and director for Bella and The Bulldogs which is a direct extension of The Cuckold. While it's marketed as a children's show, it brings to light the mature themes of interracial dating in a slightly less subtle way than The Cuckold.

As a German, I can appreciate the message this motion picture is trying to send. More women need to open up their lives to cultural enrichment via a non-traditional marriage. My good friend, David Goldstein, first introduced me to the idea a few years back and it's transformed my entire life since.

I had a great time watching this with my wife's son. Hope there will be a sequel!

For a better America

[gertlulhaar · 10/10 · 5 May 2016]

Some may see this movie as a disgusting soft pornography but it's something completely different. It's a fantastic piece of art that is asking you to become a cuckold yourself. People see that as something to be ashamed of, but you're just contributing to a better society where black people get as privileged as white people.

Jonathan Butler does a great job directing this film. We should leave films like this to him since he is the only one who does it right. These themes were explored a little more on the light side on his show Bella and the Bulldogs.

The movie is long, but there's not a wasted scene in the film. Each one slowly lets the film unfold with a certain style and grace, revealing more about each character and what's going on. The pacing is incredible, as is the direction - Butler manages to build a lot of uncomfortable tension in the film, keeping the film from ever getting predictable. Any typical Western cliché that you can possibly think of is either given a unique twist or utterly destroyed by Butler's masterful storytelling.

This film did live up to my expectations and my wife's son - Joey, who is autistic completely understood it aswel.

I don't like spending money and bought this at a yard sale but I think it's worth buying on a regular sale. That's how much I love it!

10/10

Startlingly good undiscovered gem.

[finbarr-saunders · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

I approached this film with genuine trepidation expecting to wince & cringe my way through it, but actually I ended up watching the entire thing through for a second time as soon as it was over. It really is a fantastic film. Firstly because of the importance and increasing relevance of the issues it covers, and secondly because it's so well written & presented and wonderfully performed. First the issues. Cuckoldry & interracial sex between black men and white women are 100% bona-fide & rapidly growing cultural phenomena of the last couple of decades or so. This film acts as a relatively tame yet still interesting but above all authentic portrayal for the newcomer. That alone would be achievement enough for the film, but there is so much more here besides. The film also very skilfully portrays the multitude of complex societal issues and taboos which surround cuckolding and sex between white women and black men, from the individual perspectives of the films characters who each occupy very unique and often opposing spaces in the racial and cultural landscape. Beginning with an allegorical history lesson outlining the genesis of all of these issues (the slave trade) we're cleverly shown how the many prejudices and taboos surrounding these activities were formed and perpetuated. We also see how more modern cultural & societal developments have caused the old taboos to finally be overcome, and have essentially driven todays white women and black men into each others arms, often with full knowledge and consent of the ladies husbands. The risks and potential pitfalls associated with these relationships are gigantic. It follows therefore that those involved must gain something truly powerful and profound from them. They do of, course, shown very authentically honestly and beautifully in this film.

That these relationships, marriages, and the issues surrounding them are very real and extremely rapidly growing phenomena in todays society is undeniable. Just look around you. This film is a very authentic and beautifully drawn illustration. The characters are very finely drawn, very true to life, and beautifully performed. Incredibly, as you watch the film you can find a degree of empathy with all of them. Given the complexity and inflammatory nature of the subject matter, this is no small achievement.

In my view this film is absolutely crying out for a sequel. The unresolved ending is very powerful and perfectly placed, but there is so much untapped potential. So much left on the table. So much more yet to be told about what happened next to these characters. How the films events changed them and shaped their lives afterwards. How they moved forward collectively, in their relationships, and as individuals. Even if there's no sequel, I will certainly be looking out for more from this extremely talented production team & cast. There doesn't seem to be much out there however, more's the pity. At the very least this film deserves a full-bore DVD release (or re-release) as it 's unique, important, and doesn't seem to be available anywhere(!)