Movie Review: The Help

I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the book or watch the movie first. I had a free DVD rental from Redbox, so watching the movie won out.

This is a movie that I really think everyone must see, especially people that didn't live through the Civil Rights movements. It paints a sad picture of what America was like in the South at the time and it does it in a way that will entertain you, make you think, and even make you laugh.

The bigotry is there. Can you believe that people wanted separate bathrooms because their "Help" might carry diseases? On a stormy night, Hilly wouldn't let Minny use the restroom in her house! I continually thought, WHAT A FREAKING BITCH! Minny was played by the lovely Octavia Spencer. She was truly the star of the show.

Emma Stone also does a lovely job as Skeeter, the young woman writing the story of "The Help." It is impossible not to love her. She's forward thinking and she cares about these women

Another character you can't help but love is Celia played by Jessica Chastain. She's a little bit of white trash, with a big heart. When you look at her, you see someone that might be Marilyn Monroe. She wants to be high society but she'll never make it, no matter how wealthy her husband is.

All of these people. The good, the bad make up the stories of "The Help." The one character I didn't mention is Aibeleen. Why? Because words can't express what a character she was. Maybe the words she spoke to little Mae Mobley sum up how lovely and loving this woman is.

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

Those are words that every child should be told.

I seldom watch films that are up for Oscars. I hate pretentious films. I like fun. This movie was both fun, heartbreaking and thought provoking. It is a must watch.