The Help (2011)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Tate Taylor

Starring: Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer

Running time: 146 minutes

This remarkable period drama tells the story of black maids in the Jackson, Mississippi of the 60’s through the eyes of Abileen Clark (Davis), a woman who became a maid after the death of her only son. Like so many others, she would go on cleaning houses, cooking and raising white kids who would one day become their boss and not treat them any better than the generation before. Abileen’s life would change when she crossed the path Skeeter (Stone), a young white woman who is a rebel at heart and who wants to have a career as a writer. Skeeter wants her first book to tell the story from the maids’ point of view.

Mere words are difficult to find when it comes to properly describing this film. It is a powerful look at the issue of racism and the treatment of black people. It is hard to believe such situations really happened down south; unfortunately, racism is a very true thing. It came off even worse to me when it came from those hypocrites who would try to portray themselves as not being racists because of their supposed good deeds. People like that are still out there today, treating people they consider inferior (be it because of color or any other reason) like crap.

I highly recommend watching this one. The acting is solid on everyone’s part. This is the kind of movie that needs to be seen at least once in a lifetime, if not more. It will stick with you for a while.

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