Butter (1998 film)

Butter is a 1998 independent drama film directed by Frode Olsen and starring Ernie Hudson, Nia Long, and Shemar Moore. The film follows the complex relationships within a successful black family in Los Angeles, focusing on themes of race, class, and familial conflict. Lester Hodges (Hudson), a record producer, struggles to maintain control of his empire and his family as his children navigate their own paths and confront the challenges of identity and ambition. The film explores the pressures and temptations of the music industry and the impact they have on personal lives. Nia Long plays Marian, Lester's wife, and Shemar Moore portrays Freddy Roland, a rising singer. The film received mixed reviews upon its release.