The Help (2011)

Based on a best selling novel aimed at women, The Help tells the story of a group of African American women in the early 1960s, and their constant struggles with the white families that employ them, all while the Civil Rights movement is taking off in the background. Emma Stone plays a young white woman who was damn near raised by her Help growing up, and she isn't like all the other Southern ladies who abuse or don't appreciate their help. She's a writer, see, and she wants to tell their story. She wants their voices to be heard, because she doesn't think the Help should be held down any longer. She thinks for any change to occur, their stories need to be heard. And she may just be risking serious repercussions in doing so.

The strongest aspect of The Help is the performances. Everyone from Stone on down the line is damn near award worthy in their roles. A stand out, who arguably steals the show from Stone, is Jessica Chastain. She plays a ditsy but lovable Southern belle who hires on a black maid that no one else will hire (her former employer spreads nasty rumors about her). This was probably my favorite storyline in the film.

The Help doesn't really break new ground. It actually doesn't even really examine its subjects all that closely. It's just more of a feel good type of crowd pleasing entertainment instead of a super serious look at black house workers in the early 60s. That's not to say it's a flat out comedy, because it's not, but it does get over the top, with Bryce Dallas Howard playing a super villain of sorts.

There are some who are dismissing it for being too thick with well known Hollywood cliches, like the famous Magical Negro character. And that may very well be the case, but when push comes to shove it needs to be looked at for what it is, a piece of entertainment inspired by very touchy and very serious historical subject matter. It's not a documentary, it's not going to be void of any formulaic touches. Its goal is to entertain and make people (ie, women) feel good. It's about a group of characters and their stories, and for that it accomplishes what I'm sure it set out to achieve.

RATING: 3/5