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| 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.
