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)
Almost a full rating. The Help is a film with a very strong story and a premise that has played a significant and unsavoury role in the history of the United States, yet I think it could have been executed in a much stronger and more cinematically imaginative way than Taylor did. It has everything, from brilliant actors to Newman's harmonious music, and great sets, yet it’s somehow dull and for a good part of its 140 minutes it pretends to be a gripping human drama rather than actually being one. I felt a bit as if the director was thinking more about the members of the Academy than the ordinary audience and followed a fixed and very popular template in Hollywood. But on the other hand, it works beautifully, and in tandem with all the wonderful actresses, his efforts to move and impress with the serious premise are almost 100% effective, or at least I was perfectly at home with his narrative after the slower start, when the characters begin to emerge beautifully. Unfortunately, the expected climax was somewhat disappointing, and the rush of classical sentimentality and excessive naive moralising made me groan unhappily. But in spite of its flaws and weaker moments, this was another unforgettable film that can make even lumberjacks cry just by looking at the face of the main character...Too bad. 4.5*
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A must-see feel-good movie about racial issues in upper middle-class USA in the 1960s. Paradoxically, the most black and white is the dosage of emotions, which is sometimes too simplistic and for effect – the vast majority of whites are superficial scumbags and the vast majority of blacks are good and model workers. But if you overlook this creative vice of pigeonholing characters in an otherwise interesting story, you get a number of scenes with a huge range of emotions that can grab you by the heart and move you appropriately. An intense viewing experience, a stimulating Oscar-winning film with a stellar cast and deservedly positive reviews.
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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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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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