Books to Movies: The Help (review)

 

Released August 10, 2011:  The Help

"Change begins with a whisper."

Starring:  Emma Stone as Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Viola Davis as Abileen Clark, Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron Howard) as Hilly Holbrook, Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, Jessica Chastain as Celia Foote, Ahna O'Reilly as Elizabeth Leefolt, Allison Janney as Charlotte Phelan, Anna Camp as Jolene French, Eleanor Henry as Mae Mobley, Emma Henry as Mae Mobley, Chris Lowell as Stuart Whitworth, Cicely Tyson as Constantine Jefferson, Mike Vogel as Johnny Foote, Sissy Spacek as Missus Walters.

Nate Berkus was one of eight executive producers and Chris Columbus (of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the first two Harry Potter films) was one of four producers/co-producers.  

Review:

Eye-opening and potentially life altering....both could describe The Help.  First I read the book and found myself glued to the page.  It was riveting, entertaining, and delightful while provoking feelings of disgust, dismay and disappointment with regard to the circumstances of the help.  It's a mixed bag, but in a good way.  The movie is much the same and I highly recommend it!  The script closely follows the story line and for that I am glad!  The story is one that is sure to stay with you.  Even my 23 year old son enjoyed it immensely, proving that the audience is not limited by age nor gender.  Having said that, I would recommend a PG13 rating due to the nature of the story.  Watch this with your children, if you allow them to do so, so you can explain the atmosphere in Jackson and much of the states during the 1960s and previous.  The Help is definitely an ideal girl's night out, date night, or curl up with your loved one kind of 
movie.


The casting is superb!  Bryce Dallas Howard is a perfect Hilly!!!  Sissy Spacek is a wonderful cheeky mother to Hilly, Emma Stone passionately portrays Skeeter to a "t" and the maids.... spectacular!  The casting director should receive accolades!

I love this movie!!!

For the sensitive viewer:  It is good to note that the language is toned down in comparison with the book and the scene involving the man in Celia's garden was not included in the film.

original book cover

Quotes:



"You is kind.


              You is smart.


You is important."

                   "...I realized I actually had a choice in what I could believe."

"She didn't pick her life.  It pick her."

"Two-slice Hilly" (when you see the movie and/or read the book you will totally understand this one!)

movie tie-in book cover