The Help
Published 2014-04-21
Film info
- Title The Help
- Director Tate Taylor
- Year 2011
- Run time 2hr 26m
- Genre Drama
- Tagline Change begins with a whisper
- Cast Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Mary Steenburgen
The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project - one that breaks society's rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humour and hope, The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 3:15 | 95 cents an hour doesn't sound like much, even in ye olde days. |
| 4:36 | Miss Skeeter has an awesome car. Love the wings at the back. |
| 13:01 | It's interesting that these people don't know how to clean or tidy or anything. Those skills had to be relearnt again, I guess. |
| 14:37 | Can't take the Pitch Perfect lady seriously. Hope she doesn't throw up! |
| 18:56 | "That's a little too everything." At least she's honest. |
| 27:56 | Does the matchstick between your teeth really work? |
| 40:49 | Church isn't my thing but at least gospel is properly uplifting. |
| 42:33 | Proper writer, "this isn't about me, it doesn't matter what I think." |
| 50:14 | She says it's not working out too good, but I thought being covered in flour was what cooking was all about. |
| 59:22 | Minny is terrifying. Mr C is going for "fearsome." |
| 1:05:26 | "Frying chicken just tends to make you feel better about life." |
| 1:07:24 | "Minny don't burn chicken." |
| 1:15:08 | I feel like the order is all mixed up from the book, but it makes more sense this way! |
| 1:24:56 | She was hoovering a giant bear. As you do. |
| 1:28:29 | Love that the first thing Abie said was "What do you want me to do?" |
| 1:31:12 | She's writing this all down on pencil and paper. Her hand must ache! |
| 1:42:30 | Celia's dress is actually really nice, just a bit showy for the period. |
| 1:56:08 | The chicken! I'm crushed. |
| 2:09:41 | Instinctive reaction, everyone is clapping, quick, start clapping too. |
| 2:18:48 | Great parting shot. |
Thoughts
I was keen on watching this one when it first came out, but then I wanted to wait until I had read the book, which I just did very recently. I loved the book, so was interested to see how it converted to the screen, particularly how Emma Stone did - as I think she's pretty cool.
I thought it was really very good. It stuck to the book almost religiously, with just a few things simplified or lost in translation to keep the length of the film down... if you count more than two hours as keeping it down.
It took a while for the characters to really come to life, but about halfway through, it seemed to kick into gear. I thought Octavia as Minny was fantastic, and Bryce as Hilly portrayed the terrible attitude perfectly. Emma was also great, but the film was stolen by the maids more than anyone.
Rating: 5 / 5