The Help is arguably one of the best movies of the summer. The way it encompasses so many intertwining lives and depicts them in a genuine sort of way is remarkable. The movie brings out so many emotions in it's audiences, that's it no wonder that it achieved so much box office success back in August.
If you've been living under a rock for the past 2 months then you probably don't know that the film is adapted from a novel with the same name, by Kathryn Stockett. Tate Taylor, who I've read is a very close friend of Stockett, directed and assisted in writing the screenplay for the film. Taylor and Stockett have truly accomplished something incredible, with this being both of their first major Hollywood film releases, they crafted a 146 minute piece of art that not only moves smoothly and efficiently through a complex character driven narrative with heavy societal commentaries at almost every turn. Some critics have argued that the film only scratched the surface in terms of racial relations during this time in America, but it must be remembered that the film is a drama and was distributed by DreamWorks, not to simply educate people, but to turn a profit, so obviously certain aspects of depicting the civil rights movement wouldn't end up on screen. I personally have no problem with this, as if I'm seeking to be enlightened of this tumultuous time in American history I pick up some documentaries from my local library,
Another aspect that makes the Help so remarkable, is it's cast. From Bryce Dallas Howard, to Allison Janey, to Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Cicely Tyson, and Sissy Spacek, all of the performances feel authentic and compelling. I expect this ensemble to be recognized come awards season, and a lot of credit should again be given to Taylor and Stockett for providing these actors with material that could showcase their talents.
