Appreciating 'The Help'

I'm still grateful to reporter Maureen Dolan for approaching me a few months ago about a book I just had to read.

I consumed "The Help" in about a week, and was naturally ecstatic when I saw posters advertising the film.

Granted, we all know the usual book-to-film pattern: The latter is usually a lackluster and unsatisfying facsimile of the first.

But after seeing "The Help" this past weekend, I didn't harbor a shred of disappointment.

Whether folks have read Kathryn Stockett's novel or not, they will find the movie well paced, funny and phenomenally acted.

OK, maybe it runs a little long toward the end. But it remains a refreshing film chock-full of strong female leads, and fixes on a subject worthy of a close look: The relationship between white families of Jackson, Miss., and the black maids who served them for generations.

Set in the early '60s, the story centers around aspiring journalist Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Emma Stone of "Easy A" and "Zombieland"). Hoping to get the attention of a New York publisher, she ventures to write a book depicting the perspectives of local black maids.

The pursuit proves challenging, especially her efforts to interview maids in a town where slighting a white employer can result in being barred from any kind of work - or in getting arrested.

The plot is appealing for the same reason that Stone's character lands a book deal: It shows a perspective that hasn't been given much attention before, but is interesting on so many levels.

I admit I initially had doubts about Stone in the lead role. She's fun to watch when she's dripping sarcasm in teen flicks, but could she pull off a subtler role that required uglying up a little?

But I forgot who I was watching after five minutes. Stone naturally embraces the role of an awkward college graduate questioning the nature of her hometown.

The real strength of the film stems from Viola Davis' portrayal of Aibileen Clark and Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, the maids who lead the way in helping Skeeter with her book.

Their characters bear the brunt of racism in different forms, and both actresses navigate their emotions naturally.

Jessica Chastain earns some laughs as Celia Foote, a new-money housewife grasping for approval and friendship, even from the maid. And Bryce Dallas Howard shines as the cold and domineering Hilly Holbrook, a more demanding housewife pushing for an initiative to have maids use segregated bathrooms in every home.

I agree with complaints I've heard that the racism angle is softened a bit in the movie, and certain events that were stirring in the book have been left out.

But the softer approach does help keep this a family-friendly film. And without giving too much away, there is still a moment of satisfaction when one of the more vicious employers is fed a little revenge.

A little more editing wouldn't have hurt. The happy wrap-up scenes toward the end do drag a little.

Still, this is one of the rare films this summer worth the hefty theater prices. And don't be influenced by the mostly female cast. Men and women alike should appreciate everything "The Help" has to offer.

Grade: A-

Alecia Warren is a staff writer for The Press. She can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2011, or via e-mail at [email protected].