Going to see "The Help", the most talked about film since its debut August 10th, I felt in the back of my mind that I'd already be familiar with the concept of the movie although I hadn't seen it. I figured it would be like the 'Rosa Parks' story, or another civil rights film that would yet again reveal the ugly past of American history.
I was correct with the concept of the film, however, I didn't expect a strong-minded, young and Caucasian writer would give a voice to the voiceless African American maids in the deep South of Jackson, Mississippi! That was definitely a great way to shake things up and cause A LOT of drama!
In the 1960's, the state of Mississippi was one state you absolutely didn't want to visit or live in if you were Black. Of course you can't change the color of your skin, but during this period of time African Americans were being treated as if they should have been able to change their skin color, and because they couldn't they were treated like second class citizens -- worse than dogs.
Things haven't changed much in Jackson, Mississippi, with the latest news just this month of a hate crime against an African American man named James Craig Anderson, who was murdered by the hands of a young, Caucasian teenager named, Deryl Dedmon.
Things haven't changed much in Jackson, Mississippi, with the latest news just this month of a hate crime against an African American man named James Craig Anderson, who was murdered by the hands of a young, Caucasian teenager named, Deryl Dedmon.
In the film, listening to those maids tell the young writer EXACTLY how they felt; it felt like a release for me. Which actually surprised me; then I realized I equated my personal experiences of racism and discrimination, to those maids personal stories. When the maids expressed their anger and rage of how their employers treated them, it felt like I was venting my rage against those employers that discriminated against myself as well. It felt good.
All in all "The Help" starring Emma Stone (Skeeter), Viola Davis (Abilene) and Octavia Spencer (Minny) was funny, emotional, deep and painted a vivid picture of the mistreatment of African Americans by the hands of White people during the 1960's in the South. Although the mistreatment was much worse than the film depicted, it still displayed the root of the problem.
I would see this film again and when it comes out on DVD, it will find a place on my movie shelf next to the other classics.
2011 LA
I would see this film again and when it comes out on DVD, it will find a place on my movie shelf next to the other classics.
2011 LA
"The Help" gets five stars from me! Check out the trailer below.
