Review of The Help (2011) by Yasachandra B — 16 Mar 2016

Emma Stone plays Skeeter, a young, aspiring author from Mississippi in the early 1960s. She decides to collect the stories from the various African Amrerican servants that work for her neighbours. Initially viewed with suspicion and scepticism, Skeeter gradually gains the trust and respect of the women she is interviewing and it soon becomes clear that this project, the first time these domestic servants have been given a voice, has an important role in the growing civil rights movement.

The film is simply brilliant with fantastic central performances from Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. These three are a real delight to watch and it is great to have a cast made up of so many strong, female characters.

The film manages to tread a delicate line between a whole spectrum of emotions. It is touching, horrifying and in places extremely funny. Writer-director Tate Taylor shows a rare skill in her handling of some very diverse themes.

As well as the three central characters, there are some great supporting performances from the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard and Sissy Spacek. I really enjoyed the journey of the characters and felt very moved by some of the scenes.

The casual racism suffered by these woman is shocking to the modern audience but the dignity, strength and above all humour of these characters really shines through. I found The Help to be a very enjoyable movie indeed.