The Help

Based on a book by Kathryn Stockett, this is the story of black maids in Jackson Missouri who find the courage and will to share their stories with the world in a time where racism is still raging. 

More social than political, this is story of Southern Belle, Eugenia (Skeeter) Phelan, played by Emma Stone, who returns home to find her maid gone and the treatment of maids in general more rascist than ever. Finding the subjects to interview for her first book is challenging, but she wins over her friend's maid Aibaleen (Viola Davis)  who begins to share her experiences raising white children while another maid Minny (Octavia Spencer) lets lose her tongue as she tells all about her former employer, local socialite Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard).

A heart warming story that brings laughter and tears as audiences witness the plight of these maids back in the 60s. With just a brief moment of violence late in the film, The Help focuses on these women who bond together as they bear witness to a subject few ever discuss or rebel against.  Octavia Spencer steals the show with a delightful performance as Minny with her crazy antics to defend herself. She's sassy and fun, but means business when she has to.  Her relationship and employment with her eventual lifelong employer Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain) shows her tender side and additional proof that even then there were white employers who treated their maids with friendship and respect.

Viola Davis is a quiet withdrawn Aibileen mixing resolve and inner strength, a wonderful complement to the youthfulness and ambition of Stone's Skeeter. While Bryce Dallas Howard's Hilly hits the mark from the snobbiest of snobby women to the outrage of someone whose most embarrassing secret is revealed to all.

Overall a wonderful intelligent and touching film to take in.

4.5/5