The Help
#248 of IMDB's Top 250 FilmsRating:3.75⭐
Review:For what it is, the film is very good. Great acting and great casting. Looks wonderful with bits of humor and emotional punch from Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer and the rest of the cast as always.
However, I do understand Davis' regret when it comes to this film. This film conveys the stories of the help through the understanding of the white characters and as such it loses the power that it could have had. I think it could have been so much more powerful had Emma Stone's character not even been involved (although, I do love Emma Stone and her performance in this)
Ultimately, I'm conflicted. Was the movie enjoyable? Yes, the film was enjoyable with incredibly strong, memorable performances from all involved.
Did the director accomplish what they set out to accomplish? I guess my complaint is just the same that I have with the book. What is the author's intent?
Was it supposed to be educational teaching white audiences about the Jim Crow era? Was it supposed to be heart warming and special? "See the good guys won at the end. Justice is served and we're all okay now" Does it therefore cheapen the lived horrors and experiences of those people in that time period just because a group of fictitious women got their comeuppance (within their small circle).
Ugh. I can go back and forth about this. Ultimately, a good movie in its own way.