Review of The Help (2011) by Jamie E — 17 Feb 2014

The Help is an emotionally charged film. From the start it looks and feels beautiful. The production design of the film is brilliant, making it seem like the real 1960s Jacksonville. These vibrant visuals make the film feel very warm hearted which is good considering its harsh racial themes.

These themes are dealt with throughout the film and Tate Taylor has made them definitely hit home. But in some spot it does feel like we are only getting the tip of the iceberg. Some scenes feel undeveloped and the plot may not be as detailed as it could of been.

But the clear direction and tone the film takes is consistent, making the film's flow work and the pacing is normally right. The amazing performances from the cast though is what makes this film so good and gripping.

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer's chemistry together is wondeful and makes the film so much more realistic, targetting not only the relationships between white and black, but the friendships between the maids.

Both these actresses control the films emotions and Spencer's added comedy again brightens quite a dramtic topic. The use of flashbacks and story telling in this film also enhances the film's emotional draw and adds the needed depth to the films plot.

Most significantly though this film tries to adress the conflict of white and black and while it may not be as detailed or deep as it could of been, the actresses work magic transforming a okay script into a film that is surpisingly refreshing and entertaining.