Directed by:
Tate TaylorScreenplay:
Tate TaylorCinematography:
Stephen GoldblattComposer:
Thomas NewmanCast:
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Anna Camp, Christopher Lowell, Cicely Tyson (more)Plots(1)
Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone as Skeeter, Viola Davis as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny — three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed — even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (10)
When I watched the movie "Black and White World," I wondered how Americans perceive it. I am sure they see it as a drama that depicts a story, but do they realize that this is about their parents, or maybe even themselves? Are they capable of acknowledging that in their relentless freedom they were actually quite nasty and despicable? A nation that is so proud of itself understood equality 40 years ago, yet in some states, they still reject it. But to reassure us that they are progressive, they elect a black - pardon, African American - president, who is still, however, a mixed race. Sometimes I think how great it would be to live in America, but sometimes this idea deeply repulses me. Everything has its merits, but the story of the black women, who are no worse than any of us - and perhaps even better - is truly a powerful testimony that manages not to get lost in the swamp of pathos. The outstanding performances of the actors were rightfully awarded an Oscar or at least a nomination. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/04/diar-milovnika-filmu-c-0003-eastwood.html
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I am sorry that in a country of my origin we do not know how to make such beautiful films about our past. The formal side of textbook-perfect Hollywood filmmaking is merely a means of telling a curious story which, especially today, with Barack Obama on the American throne, is of enormous importance and historical value. Perfectly cast, costumed and directed actors – basically every character and performance is absolutely excellent, without the need to scream and dramatize or depress the audience. Or to try to look particularly profound, as The Help is inherently profound thanks to its story. It is also amazing due to its subtle delivery. I went to the theatre more out of duty than genuine interest, expecting to see another “Oscar-winning template full of hysterical women and racial issues that don’t concern me” and instead got the nicest movie experience of the past year. There wasn’t a dry eye in the cinema.
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Despite the fact that Skeeter's story openly appeals to emotions through its narrative, soundtrack, and gradually revealed small details, I am surprised by how straightforward it actually is. There is no hiding of the main theme in a variety of subplots, no treading water. From the first significant scene, it delivers a clear message at a fast pace and easily maintains it for over two hours. As a result, the triple catharsis feels even more impactful. Perhaps if there had been a more definitive, slightly more fateful conclusion, I would have been fully satisfied. In that case, I felt that I could have handled an additional five minutes of voiceover in a slightly distant future during the end credits. Nevertheless, The Help won me over not only with its storytelling power but also with its flawless casting, even in the smallest roles.
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It's not as unequivocally great as, say, Spielberg's The Color Purple, but it's more than good enough. And not black and white at all. The script artfully mixes poignant stories with sensitive humor and doesn't need to show violence and other atrocities (which it certainly could have shown) to tell us what it wants to tell us. Moreover, it is not only about the theme of different skin colors, but also a pretty good critique of interpersonal and family relationships... You almost get the feeling that this film has everything. Including the somewhat bitter ending, which is even harsher in the book (and should have been in the film, see the omitted scenes on the DVD). Both of the main black actresses were amazing, and I really liked Emma Stone too, but I was absolutely thrilled with Jessica Chastain! The story of her uniquely acted character, about whom I didn't know what to think at first, ended up impressing me the most. Two hours and twenty minutes passed by like an hour and a half.
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Kind in a black and white way and a little too obtrusive female drama that is occasionally ridiculously naive (there are three types of character; a cheerful black lady with a troubled past endowed with common sense, an affected xenophobic, upper-class white lady and men who we don’t see or, when we eventually do, then they invariably run away from their problems). It rides on the harmless, tearjerker wave, but never delves beneath the surface... We only take a look there in the opening scene and that is by far the best moment in the movie.
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Photo © Dreamworks Pictures
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