This movie was quite different from the book. Understandably, there can’t be as many plot lines because there simply isn’t time to explain everything. That being said, the 2 moms (Skeeter’s and Hilly’s) seemed like entirely new characters… in a good way. Allison Janney plays Skeeter’s mom and she’s awesome in everything. They make her more likeable than the book. And Hilly’s mom is hilariously senile and plays a bigger part than in the book.*
This is definitely a film you should see. All the actors are at the top of their games and it feels real. My girlfriend couldn’t believe that this was set at the same time as Mad Men because of just how different life in Mississippi was. You might feel rushed if you’ve read the book recently because they have a lot to cover but it makes the 2 1/2 hours fly by.
*Is it racist if I only mention 2 white women in a movie about black maids? How about this -- I thought Constantine was really weird.
4 out of 5
Showing posts with label the help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the help. Show all posts
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Book Review: The Help
by: Kathryn Stockett
As many of you know by now, this book was rejected by 60 literary agents before Stockett found someone willing to represent her. It’s amazing to hear that considering just how great this book is. I’d love to see some of those earlier drafts. Revision is an author’s best friend.
The Help is a fictional story of black maids working for white families in 1960s Mississippi. It is told from 3 different perspectives: 2 black maids and a young white woman. For those of you who have seen the movie (or just the previews) they were played by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone.
As someone who was born well after the civil rights movement and north of the Mason/Dixon line I found this book extremely interesting. It was exceptionally insightful into what both races were feeling during that time of immense pressure and change. It even managed to be sufficiently frightening when violence – or the fear of it – erupted.
You may notice I keep saying “It” and not giving Stockett any sort of recognition. I thought the book was great but in my version there was a little personal essay tacked on at the end. She just came across as so conceited that I don’t want to give her any credit. Of course, she can feel free to continue writing from other people’s perspectives but stay away from the other b.s.
As many of you know by now, this book was rejected by 60 literary agents before Stockett found someone willing to represent her. It’s amazing to hear that considering just how great this book is. I’d love to see some of those earlier drafts. Revision is an author’s best friend.
The Help is a fictional story of black maids working for white families in 1960s Mississippi. It is told from 3 different perspectives: 2 black maids and a young white woman. For those of you who have seen the movie (or just the previews) they were played by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone.
As someone who was born well after the civil rights movement and north of the Mason/Dixon line I found this book extremely interesting. It was exceptionally insightful into what both races were feeling during that time of immense pressure and change. It even managed to be sufficiently frightening when violence – or the fear of it – erupted.
You may notice I keep saying “It” and not giving Stockett any sort of recognition. I thought the book was great but in my version there was a little personal essay tacked on at the end. She just came across as so conceited that I don’t want to give her any credit. Of course, she can feel free to continue writing from other people’s perspectives but stay away from the other b.s.
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