Editor’s Note: We usually run our Books on Screen column on Thursdays, but this highly anticipated movie opens Wednesday August 10, and since 5 Minutes for Mom contributor Christie was able to attend an advance screening of the Help when she was on her Winnie-the-Pooh and Cars 2 junket, I wanted to share her review as early as we were allowed.
Bring your tissues to The Help! Christie O. Reviews…
On August 10th, the film adaptation of the New York Times Best Seller “The Help” makes it into theaters and there is one word that comes into my mind every time I think about it. The word is important.
It’s not just that you have to drag everyone you know to see this movie, it’s important for you drag everyone you know to see this movie.
It is amazing. It is an eye-opener.
It was and is, truly, important.
The Plot
The movie is set in the 1960’s during the civil rights movement. “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone), a recent college-graduate, returns home to Jackson, Mississippi sans husband; a near travesty since college was something akin to husband-shopping for her friends at that time, who all returned with a husband instead of a degree and immediately settled down to have children.
But despite pressure from friends and family, Skeeter didn’t fit that mold.
She was an independent, budding journalist and writer at heart who wanted to wait to find a husband and having done both myself, I identified with Skeeter. I identified with her passion, her independence, her heart and her longing for truth as a journalist.
As part of becoming a “real” writer and trying to woo a publisher in New York City, Skeeter decides to interview the maids living in her hometown. The only thing is, she can’t get any of them to talk. It was not only a faux pas to speak to the maids (in fact it was considered by some to be disease-spreading to even share the same bathroom with the help even though ironically, it was the help who ultimately raised the children in the home). But even more than that, it was downright dangerous, not only for Skeeter but for the maids.
But Skeeter opens up that can of worms anyway with one question, ““Do you ever dream of being something else?”
What starts out as an interview turns into an expose’ and with that, you are taken on a series of twists and turns that will have you laughing out loud in absolute hysterics and then, in the very same scene horrified, gasping with shock and crying. It’s that powerful.
- Tate and Stockett celebrating when her book hit the NYTimes Best Seller List
The movie is complete with a powerhouse cast that includes Academy Award nominee Viola Davis (Aibileen), Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer (Minnie), and Oscar Winner Sissy Spacek, all who give the movie depth and heart.
The Book Vs the Movie
I read the book and it was a page turner. I finished it in three sittings. (It would have been two, but you know how that goes.)
The movie did not drift far from the book either, in fact there were a few differences, mostly subtle, but the kind of differences I was ok with. What I believe was the key element to the seamless transition from book to movie was the fact that Taylor and Stocket were childhood friends and they knew this story firsthand.
Because this was Taylor’s first screenplay, Dreamworks’ co-chairman and CEO Stacey Snider admits she took a chance on him, but now admits it was a good move. Tate was not far removed from what went on in Jackson; he grew up there, even filmed scenes in one a good friend’s home and one of the maids in the movie was a maid who actually (and ironically) raised him. I always love hearing the story behind the story, because nine times out of ten, that story is just as good. Just like this one.
If you’re wondering if the book was better, I have to be honest. The movie wasn’t better than the book or vice versa either and that is very rare for me; I am usually sorely disappointed by the movie version of whatever book I ruined by watching the movie.
Final Thoughts
The Help is deep-rooted with ironic twists and turns but like the book, this movie is about courage. It’s about bravery and fear and the ability to confront your own demons and still find it somewhere inside to laugh at yourself.
Skeeter and all of the women of The Help became my heroes and they will become yours too.
Go see it. And do yourselves a favor: don’t forget the tissues.
GIVEAWAYThe Giveaway is closed.
Oh hey — have we got a great giveaway for YOU!
For one lucky reader, Disney & Dreamworks is giving away a great prize-pack to one of you! It includes the following:
- A T-Shirt from The Help
- A Pocket Jotter and Pen
- A Fan
- A Nail File & Mirror
Just leave a comment below. We will announce the winner on August 17.
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Disclosure: Disney paid Christie’s expenses for the press junket in LA. The opinions expressed are Christie’s.
Guest contributor Christie O. blogs at Average Moms Wear Capes and contributes to 5 Minutes for Mom
would love to win this! The Help is one of my favorite books of all time!
Wonderful giveaway, thanks!! I can’t wait to read the book and see the movie!
I can’t wait to see it! I, too, devoured the book and could picture it in my head as I read, so I’d like to see how close I was.
I look forward to seeing this movie. The book was interesting!
Loved the book, and I’m just as anxious to see the movie!
Read good reviews of book elsewhere, but glad to know the movie does it justice.
I was able to see a screening of this movie last week (and I haven’t read the book yet, but it is on my to-read list now!) and it was AMAZING!
I can’t wait to see the movie!!! The book was awesome!
I’ve been working my way through The Help on audio and cannot wait to see the movie. I’ve heard several people say that the movie is great. I’d love to win!
Can’t wait to see the movie, and read the book!
Have seen the previews and cannot wait to see the movie!
Georgia–
You won our prize pack giveaway. Please respond to this email notification with your shipping address!
Jennifer
Would love to win this!
I have this book on my wish list. Thanks for the great review!
It sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win the goodies!
Loved the book and I’d love to win!
I can’t wait to see the movie. It sounds wonderful!
I loved this book – and can’t wait to see the movie!
I CANNOT wait to see this movie!!! It was such a quality piece of writing!
Being from the Deep South (AL), so much of this book hit home–possibly too close at times. Such an excellent book and I cannot wait to see the movie!
I cannot wait to see this movie! The book was so good! Thanks for the chance 🙂
Unfortunately, I had never heard of this book but I am looking forward to taking my Mom to see this film. She is 87 years old, I’m sure she will be able to relate and enjoy, as she was at one time, considered “The Help”
I LOVED the book and I am so excited about the movie! In fact, I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a movie. Thanks for the giveaway!
Can’t wait to see the movie!
I’ve been waiting for this movie to come out! I read the book last summer and have been anxious ever since I heard the movie was in production. So excited to see it!
My best friend and I can’t wait to see this movie
wonderful book!!! truly one of the best I have ever read..can’t wait for the movie!
I don’t read often and I read this book within 4 days. I couldn’t tear myself away. I was so unhappy to finish it because it made me want more. Can’t wait to see the movie tonight!
I love all the information you gave! I can’t wait to take all my friends to see the movie. I am going to forward this site, so they can read it and get excited to see the movie!
Thanks,
Lisa
Can’t wait to see The Help! Such a great book, I have high hopes for the movie.
Reading the book validated what my late grandmother encounted as a young lady working while living with a family. when I read the book I felt that we were having a conversation in real time. I will be attending the movie with my daughter, granddaughters,and daughter-in-laws. The book has been my best reading meterials in recent time.
My sister raved about a book with elephant in the title. There is no comparison to The Help. Going to see the movie tomorrow.
I would love to win this. Best book I read this summer, and I am hoping to see the movie Friday.
Still have to read the book-but have heard people talking about this one for months now!
I was caught by the book and cried through the movie. The story is definitely strong enough to handle a book and a movie. The characters are not good or evil, they’re mostly whole. Thanks for such great writing.
What a nice giveaway! I’m looking forward to the movie.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
This story reminds me of my family. So many of my ancestors WERE ‘The Help’ and consequently became mothers of ‘light skinned’ children. I can understand why no one wanted to talk, they were automatically distrustful. Very well presented by the author.
definitely interested in this story… thx for the gvwy opp!
Saw the movie last night with a group of friends and loved it! I so agree it was as good as the book and I usually don’t like the movies as much or it bugs me as I watch. I would love this prize package…maybe even share it with my girlfriends! 🙂
I can hardly wait to see the movie! I love the book.
Thanks for the chance! This looks like such a great movie and book!
I loved the book and hope to see the movie soon!
Read the book…loved it. Took my sixteen year old daughter to see the movie today and we both loved it. True that it was not far off the book. I loved the actress who played Skeeter. The whole movie was believable!! Thanks to the movie makers for finally making a Great Movie!!
I saw “The Help” this afternoon with my husband. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. This movie is a “keeper”…I will purchase it immediately upon release in DVD format! All I can say is “wow” what a great film.
I loved both the movie and the book. I felt that both were a gift to me for so many reasons. As an African American woman I appreciated a treatment of this subject matter that was marketed to everyone. As an elementary school counselor I love the message that segregation hurts EVERYONE involved; it hurts the people who are on both sides of the fence. As the mother of a little girl it reminded me how important it is to make sure she knows how special she is to me everyday. I came right home from the movie, held my daughter and told her “You are kind, you are smart and you are important.”
Excited to see this movie. Thanks!
After seeing the movie this afternoon, I wrote my own review and thoughts. In spite of many media, organizations et al trying to controversial-ize the film, the theatre was packed with equal numbers of blacks and whites. I can honestly say we all left the film vowing to be more courageous in our daily lives and to be better people. Yeah, the movie did that.
I laughed I cried I almost in this day in age saw slight similarities in some people’s actions today, I am now wanting to read the book, you’ve done a great job! Amazing work, thank you.
I would love to win this!
I was uncertain about seeing it because I wondered if it was going to be another condescending movie about black women. However, a friend of mine who rarely has positive things to say saw it and returned a second time to take her family because it was so uplifting. I went today but got there after it started. Since I don’t want to miss any of it, I’ll return tomorrow.