The Help

When reviewing a film like The Help with its worthy subject matter, you have to be careful to review the actual film as opposed to giving your opinion based on the topic alone. First of all, said topic, that of African American Maids in the 1960’s and the way they were treated by the white families they worked for. Based on Kathryn Stockett’s novel of the same name the film follows Skeeter (Emma Stone) an aspiring author in Jackson, Mississippi who decides to write about the maids having been quasi-raised by one herself. Director Tate Taylor has virtually no directorial pedigree to speak of, so it was quite a risk by Touchstone and Dreamworks to place this in his lap. Someone must have known something though as it’s turned out to be an inspired choice. Granted he’s got the source material to go on, but Taylor’s film is superbly acted, beautifully shot and, most surprisingly, hilarious in parts. Skeeter has to write her book on the sly whilst hanging around the social circle of snooty Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard) and friends and their subtle, but abysmal treatment of their maids. You don’t have to have read the novel to see things play out as you would expect, but there are a number of surprises in the film, including one of the main plot points revolving around an incident that wouldn’t be out of place in one of the American Pie movies (ironically, said scene does actually involve a pie as well). I mentioned the acting earlier and you’ll be hard pressed to find better performances in a film all year. Stone continues to impress in each performance, coming across particularly naturally here with a manner that appears effortless, but is really a sign of just how good she is. The two central performances from Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer as the main maids of the storyline are nicely contrasted. Davis’ character is full of bile, but she hides it in a presentation of dignified restraint, whilst Spencer is hilarious as the outspoken Minny, cooker of fantastic tasting food. Stealing the show though is Jessica Chastain as the ostracised Celia, a figure of fun for the rest of social circle. Chastain is superb, playing wide eyed and innocent to the race storm going on around her, whilst providing many a chuckle with her antics and also breaking hearts when her own personal demons are revealed. A scene where she is mocked by Hilly and friends is unpleasant to watch as anything in the film and her relationship with Minny eventually provides the film’s most touching moments. Celia’s treatment at the hands of Hilly raises an interesting question though, as we have actually moved away from the racial aspect of the storyline and are basically saying some people (Hilly et al) are just heartless to others regardless of their race, colour or creed. Which leads us onto the main point of discussion where Taylor’s approach has been accused of toning down the hardships that the maids faced at the time. This is a film though where the director’s hands are tied. He’s decided to tone it down and gets grief for it, but if he had gone too far the other way, accusations of heavy handed lecturing and stereotypes would have abounded. As far as I’m concerned it’s a discussion for another time and another place. Returning to the quality of the film it dips slightly in a few scenes that dangerously border the mawkish and the ending doesn’t quite hit home like it should. Overall though this is both a worthy subject and a worthy film.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

Is there too much comic relief in place of hard hitting drama? What can’t be argued though is that this is well directed and superbly acted. Rating: 8/10.