The Help

“The Help” is a 137 minute film version of the best selling novel by Kathryn Stockett who, with Tate Taylor, gets the screen credit. Directed by Mr. Taylor, this is the story of the Black housekeepers/maids/nannies who raised the white children of their employers set in the mid l960’s at the apex of the civil rights movement in the Southl Filled with many stereotypes, the movie nevertheless gives the viewer an insight into the lives, aspirations and sadness of these true ladies of the South as they leave each day to become the chattels of their white property owners. Prior to seeing the film I had watched and read a few interviews with young and scholarly black journalists who felt the film did an injustice to the true plight of these domestic workers and the entire Black experience during that time. I was surprised to find that the film did more than just whitewash the era (no pun intended) but, instead, gave those in the audience an awareness of what life was like for these people and the indignities and injustices they were forced to suffer and endure. Emma Stone gives a better than average acting performance but enough cannot be said for the efforts of both Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer who, as Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, respectively, make the movie their own as they dominate every scene and fill the screen with dignity and meaning. Watch for Oscar nominations for these two when voting time comes around. I give the film 3 and 1/2 stars and recommend it highly. It’s a pleasure to see this kind of quality film released in the summer when the demographics of the “home from school” audience might have dictated otherwise.