Earlier this summer, I continuously heard whisperings of a movie called The Help. I’d see the title on blog posts and in magazine articles, but I never paid much attention as the film wasn’t in UK theatres. However, when I finally did book myself a premier seat at my local Odeon to watch it, I was absolutely blown away.
The Help takes place in the turbulent 1960s in the American South, and tells the story of Skeeter (Emma Stone), an aspiring journalist, who is fed up with the injustice and prejudice the African American maids of Jackson, Mississippi are subjected to.
In an attempt to raise awareness and present the maids' perspective, Skeeter convinces her friend’s maids Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer) to share their stories for an anonymously published book, despite it being illegal to do so in the state of Mississippi.
While the film and the book it is based on is of heavy subject matter and has been met with plenty of controversy and lawsuits, this is a family film that I think everyone - American or British, Black or White - should see. The story is powerful, historical, and shares the story of women like Minny and Aibileen that many may have never thought of before.
The Help’s cast is almost entirely female, with brilliant performances from relative newcomers such as Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain, and long time favourites such as Sissy Spacek and Allison Janney. What makes the film so dynamic, is that beyond civil rights and the prejudices that ran so deep in the families of Jackson, it touches on other themes such as motherhood, self esteem, and finding your own independence.
I found this film extremely powerful, and incredibly well done. While The Help may have stirred up controversy on the things it did or didn’t cover, or how it portrayed African American men - I still think The Help is a positive, brave film.
The Help is in UK theatres now.