Movie Review: The Help

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer

Director: Tate Taylor
Writer(s): Tate Taylor (screenplay), Kathryn Stockett (novel)
Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney

Rated: PG-13 
Genres: Drama, Comedy
Release Date: August 10, 2011 
Tagline: Change begins with a whisper 
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

 


"The Help", based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett, is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and not merely by fans of the novel. Moviegoers have been wondering how Tate Taylor, a virtually unknown director, would handle adapting such an adored - and controversial - book. It turns out, he delivers a humorous and heart-rending film. 

The film takes place in the 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi. Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone, never better), an ambitious and intelligent young college graduate, embarks on an unusual assignment: to write a book from the point of view of "the help", African-American women who are the maids to wealthy white women. At first, the maids want as little to do with the project as possible. But soon they realize the significance of sharing their personal experiences with the eager and curious Skeeter. Unlikely friendships form between Skeeter and the maids, including the experienced and wise Aibileen (Viola Davis) and the tough-as-nails Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer).

Spencer provides many of the film's laughs. It is no surprise that Stockett based the character of Minny on Spencer herself. Minny attempts to remain cheerful and optimistic through her hardships, and she enjoys taking revenge on those who have treated her condescendingly - such as Bryce Dallas Howard's Hilly Holbrook. Howard, director Ron Howard's daughter, plays against type as the cruel socialite whose biggest fear is integration. She is thoroughly convincing and, at times, outright terrifying.

Davis, who garnered an Oscar nomination for her extremely brief yet impressively effective role in "Doubt" wows yet again in a performance that may yield another nomination. She never holds back, and in her eyes you can see the pain that her character has undergone in her lifetime.

Stockett and Taylor have been friends since they were young children, and even before the book was published, Taylor optioned the rights. Taylor wisely decided to have Aibileen as the sole voice-over in the film, as she is the most experienced and appears to be the cornerstone of the story. Indeed, the movie begins with Aibileen discussing her past, evidently to Skeeter, and she is the first to allow the young writer to interview her. Taylor's ability to deftly meld comedy with drama, without providing us with an excess of either, is remarkable, especially for a seemingly novice screenwriter/director (he adapted the novel himself).

Many have criticized Stockett's novel for its historical inaccuracy. However, Taylor's film is by no means meant to be a history lesson. It is meant to convey the effect of unlikely friendships that are forged through connections that run deeper than anyone can describe. Additionally, characters such as Minny and Aibileen are not meant to be stereotypes, nor do they come across as them. They are distinguishable, complete, relatable human beings who occasionally experience tremendously frightening ordeals. Although you do empathize with them, you do not pity them. As played by Spencer and Davis, they are extraordinarily strong individuals who can weather any storm - with or without help.

(from Big Picture Big Sound) 

Grade: A