Starring Emma Stone,Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, Ahna O' Reily,amonth others.
I feel relieved and thankful to have watched yet another touching film regarding universal themes such as love and equality. Two of the traits which when included in a film, really get into me.
The Help features a young and budding writer, Skeeter Phelan (Stone), as she not only tries to write her first book, but also invites the colored maids of Jackson, Mississippi to speak up about the good and bad sides of being a help to the white folks; some of which are Skeeter's own friends.
The movie is set during the height of Civil Rights movement in the United States. In Jackson, Miss., the colored community is everything but respected and treated equal. Members are all qualified as plain maids and servants to white families.
It was not easy for Skeeter to get the trust of maids like Aibileen Clark (Davis) and Minny Jackson (Spencer) for fear of being caught, identified, and rendered jobless. With the turn of unfortunate events toward the black community, plus their personal mishaps, however, they learned to confess to Skeeter. Their days and nights of storytelling later on turned as a publishing success which rocked their town and their lives.
The actors in this film naturally and strongly portrayed their characters, especially Davis, Chastain and Spencer. The supporting actors were felt as well. They deserve all ensemble acting awards they received for this :)
Let me go now to the strength of the film which is the story (as you may know by now, I am always into stories/ plots, and not necessarily into the music, production design, directing, or cinematography). Set in 1960's, the theme of the original novel from which it was adapted from is something most people- then and now- can relate to. Everywhere we could still see signs of discrimination, inequality and stereotyping. No matter how many bills were signed into law to combat the racists- the majority- we can never really assume full equality in this earth.
We grew up- or we are trying to correct- the concept that black is ugly; the browns are chimpanzee descendants. We always see the white as the glorious race, the black as the unfortunate ones, and those in between as Asians- short and studious. In the Philippines, our Muslim brothers and sisters are tagged as terrorists. The priests' image are currently challenged as being pedophiliac, while LGBT members are condemned for being sinners.
Time and history has proven that things can change for the minority, the underprivileged, the oppressed. There are movements and groups which actively promote what they think they deserve as a community. And thankfully, there are people who listen to them... and we need more of them.
In The Help, Skeeter is a hero. She may be a pursuing a career at first, but she ended up freeing emotional prisoners. She helped rebuild broken spirits. And that is what we should all try to achieve,no matter how hard it may seem. You see, there are ways when we can pursue the things we like, and still be able to be a blessing to other people.
Watch it and relate yourself to any character in the film; from Skeeter, Aibileen, Celia (Chastain), and Minny. You have the option to be a hero, a dreamer, a success, a helper,a writer, an honorable person- all traits which you can proudly wear as badges of honor.
All men are equal. Remember that!
Segue: The novel The Secret Life of Bees written by Sue Monk Kidd also tackles the issues of the black in the early 60's. Here's my take on it: http://rossmanicad.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-life-of-bees-2002.html
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