The Help
Directed by Tate
Taylor
Written by Tate
Taylor
Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett
Starring
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer
Rated PG-13 for thematic material
Released in theaters August 10, 2011
My Rating: ★★★★★
This is another one
that I had hoped to read the novel BEFORE watching. Of course, time did not permit this, and I
couldn't hold off watching the film any longer!
Set in Mississippi
during the 1960s, just when the Civil Rights Movement approaches its peak, a
young author, Skeeter (Emma Stone) returns from college to her hometown to work
at a small newspaper. Soon, she decides
to undertake the monumental task of writing a novel portraying the points of
view of the hired African-American maids that she and most of her high society
friends were raised by. At a time when such an act was literally illegal, she
sets a chain of events in motion that will change the lives around her forever.
Overall, it was a
very entertaining and thought-provoking movie.
The writer and director did a fantastic job of taking us back to a
different place and time and giving us a new, deeper perspective on something
that was all too common at that time. I adore Emma Stone and I think she made a
perfect Skeeter.
This film did
exactly what I think it set out to do. It
inspired me. I cried; I laughed; I was sad, angry, and hopeful all at
once. It made me FEEL. It made me think. My husband and I had conversations about
it. My seven-year-old son asked a lot of
significant questions. How many movies can really do this these days? In my opinion, it truly was a success and
something I feel enriched our lives.
If nothing else, my
son learned a bit more about civil rights, and interestingly enough,
miscarriages. J I definitely recommend checking this one out!
