The Help

View this trailer Watch Trailer

Video: ION at The Help Irish Premiere

Release Date: 28 October 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Starring: Allison Janney, Bryce Dallas Howard, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, Sissy Spacek, Viola Davis
Details: US/TBC 137mins

One of the biggest hits of the year in America, The Help is a well acted and surprisingly sincere film that tackles the subject of race equality in America when it was still an ambiguous issue - especially in the south. Emma Stone is ostensibly the lead, but this is very much an ensemble film, and pretty much all of the cast are given a chance shine.

Stone plays Skeeter, a smart and intelligent young woman in small town 1960s Mississippi, who despite achieving the qualifications, can't be taken seriously as a writer or journalist. Coming home one day to find that the woman who raised her, Constantine, has "quit," she finds out that her Mother had in fact fired her. Disgusted, she sets about gathering other stories from "the help," and what they've gone through in order to write a book on their experiences.

One of the main issues for some with stories like The Help is that there always seems to be a (white) knight in shining armour that comes to the rescue of the downtrodden coloured folk. The best thing that this film does right is not tell the story from the point of view of Skeeter. Instead, the story is told through the eyes of Viola Davis's character, Aibileen - who Skeeter really wants to be part of the book. It's a smart move and the film stands out from the pack because of it.

It has a strong story, some characters you'll genuinely care about and some you'll hate. But it's far from perfect and has the common book adaptation problem of trying to squeeze in all of the characters and their subplots. Out of these Stone's is actually the weakest; she's the type of actress who can elevate a scene with just her presence and she brings more to Sketter than most could - but she's basically an observer.

Jessica Chastain shines as the unfairly ousted, newest citizen of Jackson, Mississippi and has already seen her stock rise significantly since the release of this film. She manages to evoke empathy and laughs - not easy in any production. But this is really a showcase for Davis and Octavia Spencer and both actresses grasp the opportunity with both hands. Spencer in particular delivers a great line towards the end.

That rare beast that most members of the family can enjoy together, it could've done with some shaving (it is over two hours long), but is still worth checking out.

Review by Mike Sheridan

Watch the Entertainment.ie Movie Show Watch the latest Entertainment.ie Movie Show

Anonymous

Will

Back to Movie Reviews

Your Comments

Hana O' Connor

Amazing book, been waiting for the film for months. Can't wait for it to be out!

Posted 11/10/2011 08:41:45

FilmBuff76

The trailer for The Help screams Chick Flick! However, given the important subject matter and the fact that it stormed its way to the top of the US box office, I was curious about it. I'm very glad that I went to it, as it turned out to be one of the joys of my cinematic year. It's a heartfelt look at the mostly invisible and unrewarded contribution that African-American women made to raising white children in the Deep South of the turbulent 1960s. This is framed through the perspective of budding young writer Skeeter, played by the consistently interesting Emma Stone. Some of the southern belles surrounding Skeeter border on caricature, but they're all played by an excellent supporting cast. I'd be very surprised if Octavia Spencer doesn't get an Oscar nomination as the indomitable Minny. Believe the hype on this one - it's well worth the journey. Highly recommended.

Posted 18/10/2011 22:46:11

LuckyMe

I had read the book first and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Knowing the end didn't spoil the plot. Though the book might be enjoyed more by women, the movie will attract a mixed audience.

Posted 27/10/2011 17:46:09

ted29

Total schmaltz. The smell of Oprah is all over it and its typically a guilt massage from white to black america.

Posted 28/10/2011 14:21:12

jojo

I went to this having not read the book, and with nothing but a general idea of the plotline. It was of little consequence, as there is enough substance in the film to enrapture the viewer from the get-go. A young journalist who stands apart from convention; a country in the midst of changing attitudes; a private loss for the main protagonist. All of this and more is intertwined in a sometimes funny, sometimes sad, yet always realistic story line. It's a film that can be appreciated by differing age groups. I went along with my 60+ mother, who had read the book and enjoyed the show just as much as I did. A great one for inter-generational bonding! :)

Posted 29/10/2011 17:57:41

Bitter Irish Fruit

Octavia Spencer and the director seemed really cool on the ION Irish Premiere video.

Posted 02/11/2011 17:39:04

Rachel

Have to say this is one of the best movies I have ever seen, it was brilliant - funny, sad and very entertaining

Posted 02/11/2011 21:21:36

Aoife

I hope that people would consider reading the book first, it is so good! Then go to the movie which is great also.

Posted 08/11/2011 19:26:30

Jessie

Wow it sounds wonderful-better get going!

Posted 08/11/2011 22:32:43

Shellsbells

Super movie! Credible and engaging characters with great storyline. Highly recommended!

Posted 20/11/2011 11:30:40

prettypink

Fantastically funny and moving film. A great storyline with a brilliant cast! Definitely a go see movie!

Posted 30/11/2011 09:59:42

DoubleLetter

i went to this with an open mind. im a big fan of bryce, emma, and all the other cast members so i knew id like it for that at least. i ended up really not like emma stones character. she writes a book about the help yada yada, but she seems to be just in it for herself. constantly on the phone to her editor, pressuring the help to spill more details knowing it could lose them their job - just seemed really selfish plus I was waiting for a moment for her to stand up for black rights but it never really happens - its as if her writing the book is supposed to be her acknowledging that racism is wrong but she still allows black people to serve her and employs one in her family home. hypocrite. Bryce's acting is superb as always. she is so adaptable she can play any character and always looks different. for me her performance is in her tone and facial expressions. i 100% dont believe that Bryce is really her character, but her sheer facial expressions and tone and delivery is so well executed that I begin to see her as a racist. whereas emma stone and the other characters i can see throughout the film are acting, bryce is believable. the storyline is good but never reaches that moment where it all comes together at once. we have to wait an hour and a half until the book is published, then only see a montage of its effect. i suppose the story is only about the WRITING of the book, but i wish they had a big climax, such as a final F YOU to the racists, but in the end its kinda very sad. Davis character (who actually acts superbly, on par with bryce) just ends up almost worse off in the end than at the start, which is disapointing. she never really got her justice which maybe we could have seen if the story was more circular. all in all a good film, but only just good. the characters are over-exaggerated, the racism is camp, and the story lacks (for me) a real ending. but in saying that its a good watch and makes me laugh far more than angers me. id rent it on DVD when it comes out and watch it with family.

Posted 30/11/2011 20:53:07

Maire mc

Loved this movie!

Posted 04/12/2011 17:37:47

ellegibbons

An inspiring and touching movie, with a mix of humour well worth going to see!

Posted 05/12/2011 10:41:00

Login or Register to leave a comment

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed here are those of the viewer and do not reflect those of Entertainment.ie. Entertainment.ie accepts no responsibility, legal or otherwise, for their accuracy of content. Please contact us to report abusive content