The Help

**1/2 out of ****

During the early 1960’s – at the time of the Civil Rights era – there were the upper class men and women, and then there were the Help. Who, and what, was “the help”, exactly? Why, they were the household labor force, consisting entirely of blacks. Most of them were women. They acted as maids, servants, and perhaps even slaves to their superiors/employers; obeying every last order in fear of being disciplined if they failed to adhere. They lived dangerous lives; the whites, however, sat there in their fancy chairs and clothes; sipping their tea and chatting away in common acts of soulless socialization.

However, it was no well-kept secret that there was racial violence that negatively defined the times. Blacks were getting shot every day; and these women were frightened that they could be next just for resuming their everyday duties of running errands for their employers. Was it worth crossing the street at the risk of one’s life? Did the rich folk deserve these strong, willful, but desperate black women’s loyalty? The answer to both of those questions would, without a doubt, be no.

“The Help” attempts to tell the story of the few respectable whites who were attentive and kind to the maids. The title of the film refers to the name of a book that is written by one of the central characters – a young, energetic college graduate who goes by the nickname of Skeeter (Emma Stone) – and it is very much based on her experiences whilst conversing with the help. In the film, there are many members of this “help”; although the only ones I think you need know of are the soft-spoken Aibileen (Viola Davis) and the loud-mouthed Minny (Octavia Spencer). They act as Skeeter’s subjects when she interviews them; initially for an article that shall appear in the local paper, but it soon becomes clear that a few pages cannot contain this incredible story in all its rich detail and entirety.

The story is filled with people both nice and down-right cruel. We like those who are kind; and revile those who are not. Skeeter, in particular, is pleasant to be around throughout; while most of the members within her circle of friends – which is established mostly by class, over popular interest – are anything but. One of them is the mean-spirited Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard); a woman so fascinatingly unlikable that I can describe her with a single five-letter word, which starts with a B. But where there’s hatred and arrogance; there is genuine kindness, and here, all that comes in the form of a social outcast named Celia (Jessica Chastain). Celia is indeed of the same class as Skeeter’s friends, but some romantic ties keep her well out of the social current. Nevertheless, she has a good heart; and when Minny is hired to be her new house-maid, she treats her with sincerity.

The film has its heart in the right place, and comes armed with a few wonderful performances. Stone is good in her role (although I don’t suppose it will be one that gets her any more popular than she already is as an actress); with Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer taking home top prize. Seriously, if there’s any reason that one can’t take their eyes off the screen; it’s these two wonderful leading ladies, who have been rightfully met with much praise and admiration (and awards) for their outstanding work in this film. I just wish that the rest of the cast could have kept up with their efforts.

See here: “The Help” is a competently made, entertaining movie that is never boring (not even for a mere second); but it sugarcoats certain relevant, important details and issues of the times that it claims to be so passionate about. Take, for example, the violent acts committed against these poor women when their white employers lost their temper. The film is rated PG-13 (and appropriately so) in order to gain the family audience that it aims to appeal to; but while this means big bucks, it also means less realism. That’s one thing that disappointed me to the point where the film was merely entertaining, and nothing more. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.

Now, I don’t go into historical films expecting them to be 100% accurate; but “The Help” is almost maddeningly ignorant of the big picture. It shows brief, unsatisfying depictions of the hard times that these women faced; but the focus seems to be more-so on the upper class women (and Skeeter) than on the smarter, more interesting characters in the story. The film is intended as a relationship drama shared between the blacks and the whites; although this is something that never takes off as one might anticipate. All-in-all, it still makes for an entertaining night at the movies; and I suppose it would be wise of me to recommend “The Help” because I expect most people will be able to look past the inaccuracies and potential offenses in regards to the history behind its story. Spencer and Davis are deserving of their Oscar nominations; the film, however, is not.