When small-town Iowa’s reigning butter-carving champion (Ty Burrell) decides to call it quits after a decade-long reign, his wife (Jennifer Garner) decides to extend his legacy by taking up the craft herself, despite a complete lack of experience. As the annual competition draws near, she finds herself challenged by her husband’s sexy mistress (Olivia Wilde) and a young black orphan girl (Yara Shahidi).
Garner takes to the role with gusto, turning in a hilariously despicable performance that will be sure to surprise fans of her more light-hearted work. Wilde is equally amusing as the conniving stripper searching for her big payday, and keep your eyes peeled for Hugh Jackman, who seems to be having a blast in a small supporting role.
A satirical comedy in the spirit of Alexander Payne’s Election or Christopher Guest’s Best in Show, Butter is a humorous “slice of life” look at middle America. Director Jim Field Smith good-naturedly pokes fun at the small minds and small lives of his characters, and while he may be mining familiar territory, Butter still manages to serve up plenty of surprises, and plenty of laughs.