The Help (2010)

Director: Tate Taylor

Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer

An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids’ point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.

‘The Help’ is not my kind of movie. Drama is not my genre of choice, let alone movies that deal with racial issues. Yet, I can’t help but praise this movie.

Set in 1964 when there was a great divide between black and white people – apartheid as they call it in South Africa – the film deals with issues that will offend some viewers, and bring others to tears. Being white myself, I fail to understand why white people treated black people they way they did back then, and why there had to be this big advantage gap in the first place. People are people, are they not? People should be judged by their actions, and not the colour of their skin, or their background.

Our heroin is Skeeter (Emma Stone) who grows tired of the rich and pretentious community’s attitude towards (black) maids. She then decides to write a book from a maid’s point of view, and how they perceive the situation they find themselves in. We so naively believe maids are there simply to do our daily chores, but they have lives and emotions too.

The first maid who agrees to be interviewed by Skeeter, is Aibileen (Viola Davis), followed by Minny (Octavia Spencer). Together, they form a bond, and the film becomes a heartfelt journey filled with emotion. The performances are fantastic. The script is really good, and I enjoyed the subtle score.

I completely understand the relevance of the film, and the need for the story to be told. This is a good movie, with a positive, feel-good message, and a beautiful ending. Although not entirely my cup of tea, it was a movie well worth watching.

‘The Help’ was a financial and critical success, earning nearly $217 million on a $25 million budget, and receiving 200 award nominations – winning 79 including an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Would I watch it again? No.