MOVIE REVIEW ... THE HELP

 

Based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett and directed by Tate Taylor, The Help is set on the cusp of the Civil Rights era in the early 1960’s.  Portraying a shift in racial attitudes, this melting pot of social change would pave the way for a fairer form of equality – something other groups are working hard for even today.  In this regard The Help proves the more things change the more others stay the same.

In Jackson, Mississippi Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) works as a maid for a white family.  Despite being a valued helper her status as an ‘African-American’ sees her at a low rung of the social ladder.  Included in this category is Minny (Octavia Spencer) whose outspoken views have seen her drift from one job to another.  Raised by such helpers has been Eugenia (Emma Stone) who writes a book about them called ‘The Help’.  Seeing the prejudice arising from the town she grew up in, she comes to understand the strain such women went through in an era refusing to discard its archaic ways.

The Help is an example of how good intentions can unravel due to a film-makers’ approach.  The story itself isn’t the issue as occasionally it conjures some salient points about bigotry and how everyone is deserving of dignity and respect.  It is how the tale is told that is the problem as proceedings are woven into a very melodramatic narrative taking away the ‘genuine truth’ of events.  Many scenes are superficially handled with some characters not adding much to the rather long running time.

As a generalisation of the era it is more successful as the costuming and production design re-create the times superbly.  These help the performers convey the various emotions of their roles quite well if some of the stilted dialogue doesn’t.  Even with these issues there are some fine moments especially when certain characters become more accepting of those around them and therefore enjoying life far more than the close-minded in their community.

Overall The Help is a fairly interesting look at racism let down by some poor creative choices.  Had it been brave enough to be more honest in tackling its themes it could have been better, although it does prove that equality for all genders and races are always ones worth fighting for.

Movie Review Rating  5 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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