Let’s hear from the help
Based on Kathryn Stockett’s novel of the same name, The Help is set in Mississippi during the 1960s. Skeeter (Stone) returns home from college determined to be a writer. She rocks southern society when she starts interviewing the black women who have spent their lives taking care of her friends’ families. Aibileen (Davis) is the first to open up which initially causes friction within her own tight-knit community, but soon enough more women are coming forward to tell their stories. Unlikely friendships are formed during this snapshot of a changing time in US history.
Powerfully acted by a strong cast it would be a mistake to dismiss The Help as a chick-flick. Emma Stone as Skeeter surprised many, but she absolutely delivers and the same can very much be said of Davis and Spencer who are both excellent in this film.
The film is not perfect – the characters are a little stereotypical, it is about as subtle as a steel-toed boot and it neither casts new light on nor helps to heal the (still quite fresh) wounds of race-relations in America. Then again, it might be asking a bit too much for a 146 minute film to change the world.
The Help is packed with powerful performances and enough heart and humour that you’ll forgive its flaws. We can hear the Oscar nominations now…
