In the 1960‘s when the world was changing drastically and society was getting a taste of freedom, life was exactly the same as ever in Mississippi. Everyone knew their place especially the ‘coloreds’ who belonged in the kitchens slaving away for those uppity white middle class folks who were happy to have ‘The Help’ completely run their domestic lives, including bringing up their children. As long as they remembered they couldn’t use the inside toilet.
This syrupy tear-jerking movie takes place then before the burgeoning civil right movement starts having any effect in the Deep South, and where The Klan were still lynching Negros. Skeeter, one of the nice young white ladies is just back in town from College, and has ambitions beyond being a wife like all her ex school chums, and wants to become a writer. Her first job is writing a Cleaning Column for the local rag. And whilst interviewing her friend’s maid Aibilene for cleaning tips she witnesses first hand how badly maids in general are treated. Skeeter persuades a NY Editor to commission a book but finds it harder to persuade the maids to spill the beans on their lives so that she could write her big exposé. Essentially the movie is about getting this book written, and all the problems and repercussions that it causes way beyond its publication.
Tate Taylor who wrote the screenplay and directed milks every emotion he can out of almost every scene, and is not frightened to throw in a few clichés too. That said, the whole piece is beautifully acted and whilst Emma Stone as Skeeter is given top billing it is Viola Davis as Aibilene. and Octavia Spencer as Minnie another maid. who are the real stars of the show. Thanks to their remarkable talents their scenes are the most realistic and the most moving. (Ms. Davis, you may recall was nominated for an Oscar for her powerful performance in the smallest of roles in ‘Doubt’). Heads up too for the stunning Jessica Chasten (in her 3rd big role of the year) who was totally wonderful playing the one of the only two likable white ladies in the movie …(cos she was white trash). The 2d likable one was played by scene-stealing Sissy Spacek who was an irascible old mother who liked her drink and she gave me the only real laugh out loud moment.
All in all I found it entertaining and quite enjoyable even though I would have preferred less sugar coating and a tad more grit when dealing with a subject like this to make it seem more convincing.
★★★★★★★
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