Movies




The Help

Okay so I just got back from seeing the movie The Help. This movie some reason, like a lot of movies her recently that is set is the south, is in Mississippi, Jackson to me exact. The whole concept of this movie is to explore the how the black maid felt during the 1960s to still be working in white homes and raising their children, during the era leading up to the Civil Rights Movement. So immediately it does not have to do with them trying to change the world, the law, or even the people of this time. Rather the focus is simply about how they feel.

The Book

Although everyone mentions this is the first time this has been done, I don’t think that is quite accurate. Think back to Corina, Corina when Whoopi Goldberg does the same things during about the same time period except it was in the north, however it comes across as more taboo than deadly. Seems like an extreme but Mississippi has always been one of those place that has been known for its racial tension and inequality and lack of tolerance, so perhaps the idea of them being terrified for airing their employers dirty laundry is somewhat justified.

Here’s the preview:

Aibileen and Minny the two main maids that are interviewed for the writing of The Help, and yes the book is about the writing of the book like the movie is about writing the book, are much better characters on the screen than they are in the book. The accents seem to pop more and have more grounding, in which everyone sounds southern rather than some sound educated and the other sound stupid. There are many elements that just worked better visually such as the infamous pie scene and the reunification of Constantine (Skeeter’s maid) and her daughter. However the looks of the some of the characters such as Skeeter because she is supposed to be a giant, didn’t quite get displayed well on the big screen.

So is this movie worth seeing? Like the book there are some literary themes present, but the problem with this movie is that you get the stories of the maids but…nothing changes. And even though the movie is called The Help most of the focus is on Skeeter the one writing the book. Kathryn Stockett the actual author of the book is very much so mirrored from the character of Skeeter, and once again the focus seems to be with her dealing with her realization of how bad things were, rather than how did The Help actually feel. Even with the interviews and conversations, its still a whole other world that is left unexplored. Perhaps its because if you are the maid how can you begin to understand. It’s definitely a much better movie than book. I’d give it a 3 out of 5. Come with some reservations about how they deal with race and time period and location, but accept the great acting and slowly get sucked into the story.

Upcoming Movies:

Chalet Girl (limited) 10/14

Father of Invention (limited) 10/14

Fireflies In The Garden (limited) 10/14

Footloose 10/14

Labios Rojos (limited) 10/14

Oka! (limited) 10/14

Texas Killing Fields (limited) 10/14

The Big Year 10/14

The Skin I Live In 10/14 (limited)

The Thing 10/14

The Woman (limited) 10/14

Trespass (limited) 10/14




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