MOVIE: “The Help” (2011)
What a cinematic experience! An incredible cast with AMAZING performances, Spot on costumes and a plot that forces you sit down and listen….What’s not to like?
You will find that as much as I like all the action, CGI, slow motion, car chases and the like; If there is not a story at the heart of it, I’m not invested and have wasted time and money. “The Help” is NOT that kind of movie. It has story and it has heart.
I’ll start with the obvious, as an African American woman, a former Nanny, a current teacher, and a child care advocate I related to Aibileen and Minny (played impeccably by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer respectively). Aibileen and Minny are part of a society of women that raise white family’s children in Jackson, Mississippi in the 60’s during the Civil Rights movement. They have been put in a situation where their thoughts and feelings have to be put on the back burner because not only could they lose their jobs but their lives.
Then comes Skeeter (played authentically by Emma Stone). She is a white woman from Jackson who has gone to college, to get an education not to find a husband, and comes home to find work. What she discovers is the story of the “Help” and decides that it’s a story worth telling. She doesn’t fit in with her socialite friends and fights to tell the story of these men and women and to courageously be herself. I know I could feel her pain. Thankfully, I’ve discovered that being “different” is not a curse but a true blessing.
There are several supporting roles as well played by, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Ted Welch and Chris Lowell.
I KNOW that this movie is worthy of an Oscar. I HOPE that the Academy doesn’t forget this movie at award season….I know I won’t forget it. I BELIEVE that this movie sheds light on some AMAZING women and I thank all involved for telling this story.
MUNCHIES:
After this movie I had such a craving for some good ‘ol soul food. I really wanted Fried Chicken but ended up enjoying Fried Catfish at Cracker Barrel. If you have the skills and the time to really throw down in your kitchen…. GO FOR IT!!! “The Help” is a movie that that deserves a soul food celebration.
Get Cooking and Keep Watching,
Cecily
