THE HELP 3.5***

In 1963, a young journalist and aspiring novelist returns from college to her hometown, Jackson, Mississippi, at a time when the civil rights movement is gaining momentum. Her job on the Jackson Journal – writing a column on house cleaning tips – leads her into contact with the experts: black women who are the nannies, cooks and housekeepers for rich white folk… i.e. the “help”.. Thus begins an unlikely alliance that exposes the indignities suffered by black maids at the hands of Southern belles who ironically spend their idle moments raising money for African charities. The ultimate revenge of the maids is both funny and wickedly appropriate.. The movie evokes many emotions; laughter, tears, anger and perhaps even shame.

The movie tries to softly, but honestly, capture the time and place of 1960s Mississippi. There was tension throughout the movie, keeping the audience wondering when the violence of racism was going to strike, but the movie always kept it just off screen, tempting the horror without needing to show it up close. The movie has wonderfully delicate scenes between the journalist, Skeeter, and the maids and between the maids. At the same time there are scenes of brutally real racism and bigotry and you feel the tension, the pain, the injustice of the time but still you can laugh with them even as you cry for them - both races - ignorance is to be wept over.
Emma Stone, as the stubborn and righteous Skeeter, delivers her most dramatic performance to date ( others this year alone: “Crazy Stupid Love”, “Easy A” & “Friends With Benefits”). Yet other power comes from the surrounding cast, packed with outstanding performances ranging from beautifully heart-wrenching to disgustingly evil. Starting with the two maids, played with touching grace and power by Viola Davis (as Aibileen) and Octavia Spencer (as Minny). These wonderful actresses anchor the film in layers upon layers of honesty and courage. On the complete other side of the spectrum, Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron Howard, the famous director ) delivers a stunningly performance as Hilly Holbrook, the ultimate devious bigot, clinging to the old racist ways and old hatreds, fighting the oncoming social change with each of her pearly white teeth and perfectly manicured nails. Jessica Chastain also does a splendid job as Celia Foote, the white social outcast (she married up… from being white trash to a rich trophy wife) who tries desperately to get acceptance from anyone at all, even if it comes from her maid.

The movie should make you feel embarrassed if you’re white and very angry if you’re black. But more importantly, it should motivate you to not tolerate injustices no matter where or what they are.

Clark