''The Help'' (2011 movie)- Review

Directed by: Tate Taylor
Released: 2011
Country: United States

Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Ahna O'Reilly, Chris Lowell, Cicely Tyson, Sissy Spacek, Aunjanue Ellis, Mary Steenburgen, Mike Vogel

Genres: Drama

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Tate Taylor's ''The Help'', an adaptation of the novel by Kathyn Stockett, is an extremely touching film made with a slight touch of comedy-drama. The film is a moving one, extremely well-made and well-acted, and with emotional content throughout, and yes, slight humor here and there, it a film which shouldn't be missed!

Set during the 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, ''The Help'' tells the story of the oppression and dislike that were faced by black maids from their employers. Eugenia Phelan (Emma Stone), nicknamed ''Skeeter'', is an aspiring writer. After finishing college, she has returned to her home, only to find out that the black maid, Constantine, who had lived in the family for 29 years and had raised her, is no more in the family. Why? She comes to understand that her mum had fired Constantine.

Skeeter plans to write a book on the oppression that are faced by black servants from their employers. She secretly asks Aibileen (Viola Davis), maid of her friend Elizabeth, to help her with the book by sharing her experience. Initially Aibileen is hesitant, knowing that it is illegal and dangerous, later she agrees. Together Skeeter and Aibileen start working, with Aibileen sharing her memories and experiences with Skeeter. Aibileen's friend, Minny (Octavia Spencer), also starts co-operating with them after a while.

Minny once used to work for Elizabeth's friend Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard), the evil antagonist of the film. Hilly had fired her because she had used the bathroom which the family used as well. Minny has always been outspoken, and this always gets her into trouble. At home, she leads an unhappy life as she has an abusive husband. She has now find a job. Her employer is Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain), an innocent and kindly woman who sees Minny as a friend and treats her with respect. There is a funny thing there; her husband doesn't know that she is keeping a maid. Celia cannot cook much; she will pretend to her husband that all the foods she presents are made by herself (whereas they are, in fact, made by Minny).

The film also has subplots, such as a minor subplot showing Skeeter getting romantically involved with a man named Stuart. Another subplot dealing with Celia's problems. 

''The Help'' is a powerful and quite emotionally intense movie as it shows us two important and sad things. Firstly, the black maids are often oppressed and hated. They cannot use toilets used by the family, whereas they help the family so much, they love the family so much. In front of them, some people refer them, directly, as ''Nigra''.

Then there is another thing that is so sad. Black maids raised the children of their white owners. The children are very fond of the maids, the maids are very fond of the children. Then, when they grow up, many of them become just like their mama: cruel, heartless and oppressive. And then sometimes the black maids were simply fired after serving in the family for so many years, within minutes they were forced to be detached from the emotional fondness and memories that she had had with the family for years.

All the actors give excellent performances: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, and there are so many others give so much powerful performances. It also has good cinematography, suitable costumes, and wonderful locations.

Overall, ''The Help'' is such kind of a film that shouldn't be missed. It is a powerfully intense and emotional film which, for some, might be a tear-jerking experience.

4 out of 5!