The Help is set in Mississippi during the segregated 1960’s. It tells the tale of a group of black women who come together to help a white woman write a book detailing their lives as the maids of the upper class white families in a small town.
When Skeeter (Emma Stone) decides to try and break into the publishing world, she decides to interview maids to find out what their lives are actually like. When she cannot get anyone to go along, she learns that the Jim Crow laws actually prohibit what she wants to do. Finally, one brave woman, Aibileen (Viola Davis), agrees. As the civil rights movement continues, and violence against blacks escalates, more women agree to participate. The stories they tell are touching, hilarious, infuriating, and sad; but each has the overall mood of despair. Through telling their stories, the movie progresses to a sense of hope.
The acting in this movie is above par. In fact several actors, especially Davis and Octavia Spencer, deliver excellent performances. You can’t help but feel connected with the characters, their emotions and struggles. The cinematography is excellent. The set design, and wardrobes feel period accurate.
I really enjoyed this movie. It is one of the best “feel good” movies I have seen in a long time. My co-critic Tony Route (a black male) and I couldn’t help but reflect on how far our society has come since the 1960’s. While we still have a long way to go toward realizing Dr King’s dream of a colorblind society, I’m certain if you asked a black maid living under Jim Crowe if she believed a black man would be president in her lifetime, the answer would be no. I would highly recommend you see this film. I think there may be some Oscar nominations for The Help and its cast/crew. I give the movie a 9 / 10.
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