THE HELP - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Help

Set in the 1960s at the height of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, The Help is based upon the best-selling Novel of the same name by Author Kathryn Stockett. The Story centers around Skeeter (Emma Stone) who returns home to an oppressive Jackson, Mississippi after completing College studies with the aspirations of becoming a Writer. Getting a job at a local Newspaper, originally she is hired as a Ghostwriter for a mundane Housekeeping Column.  

After learning that her Mother Charlotte (Allison Janney) mysteriously dismisses the Maid who helped raise her Constantine (Cicely Tyson), Skeeter becomes fixated on some of the blatant social injustices these Black Maids face even at the hands of Skeeter's own Society-type Peers.  Secretly, Skeeter enlists the help of Aibileen (Viola Davis) who is the Maid of her Friend Ahna (Elizabeth Leefolt), to compile a shocking Tell-All based upon first-hand accounts from these Women's experiences with their Employers.

Writing this Book however, isn't an easy task as Skeeter must gain the trust of Aibileen and also other Maids like the fearful Minny (Octavia Spencer), who is at the mercy of tyrannical and influencial Employer Hilly Holbrook; Hilly also happens to be a Friend of Skeeter.  The Help focuses on the story of Skeeter, Minny and Aibileen - three Women who are brought together by the division that comes with Racial Segregation.  Ironically, they also are connected together on a much deeper level by the injustices of this division in this thoughtful look at a pivotal point in American History.

Although Director/Writer Tate Taylor might not be a familiar name now, he will more than likely be remembered for this career-defining piece.  The Help brings together one of the strongest Female Ensemble Casts perhaps since 2002's The Hours and together with Author Stockett, Taylor gives these Actresses some meaty material to work with.

KATHRYN STOCKETT PROMOTES "THE HELP" AT TORONTO'S INDIGO MANULIFE CENTRE

Kathryn Stockett at Indigo Manulife Centre

Although I've been going on about it for a bit, Toronto was graced with the presence of Kathryn Stockett, Author of both The Los Angeles and New York Times Best Seller, The Help. Although Disney won't be releasing the Film Adaption of her 2009 semi-Autobiographical Novel until August 12, 2011, Stockett surely is enjoying the added boost in profile of late.

Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Stockett was raised by an African-American Nanny while her Birth Mother generally was absent from her life. Her Novel explores Racial and Socio-economic tensions in Mississippi during the '60s. The Story's Heroine Skeeter (to be played by Emma Stone) is a College Graduate who returns Home to find that one of the Maids who had helped raise her, has disappeared mysteriously.

Drawing upon her own upbringing, Stockett was interviewed by Heather Reisman before an intimate audience at Indigo Manulife Centre tonight.  She recalls telling herself "This is Bullshit", after coming to the realization just how prevalent racial discrimination had been in Jackson.   Stockett also indicated that she had been careful to distance herself from the Story just enough, revealing "I didn't want to make it a Story just about me", explaining why she chose to explore a different era then the one in which she had grown-up.

Order Stockett's The Help here.

Watch the Trailer in full for The Help here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)