Monday, February 6, 2012

Movie Review: "The Help"

Yes, I finally got around to watching the movie version of "The Help." I don't usually like to see a movie made from a book I loved; don't have much confidence in it matching my expectations. However, several bloggers I follow had seen the movie and recommended it, so finally I caved in and ordered it from Netflix.

We watched it before the Super Bowl yesterday while all the nonsense hype was on. I'll agree with critics that it didn't stay completely true to the book, but as a visual medium a movie can't really do that. I loved this movie.

My husband, who hadn't read the book and isn't a history buff, didn't quite get how much danger the maids and Skeeter were in, but I don't think that was the fault of the movie. The scene where Aibilene and the luncheonette man are forced off the bus the night Medgar Evers was killed depicted the violence surrounding the Civil Rights struggle very well. When calm, cool Aibilene stumbled into Minnie's kitchen that night, she was scared out of her mind.

I thought the actors portrayed those housewives who lived under Hilly's strong rule well, and the ostracized housewife was a hoot. The best part of course was the story line about Minnie's pie, and the actors' portrayal of the maids.

In short, I laughed, I almost cried, and I was very happy that I watched "The Help." Anyone who has missed it really should get it on DVD ASAP.

4 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm so glad you loved this too. A movie can never stay completely true to a book, but I thought they did a great job with The Help.

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  2. Hoo-ray! I'm so glad you liked it. I felt it stayed true enough to the book in all the main elements. Of course, a book can take the reader into so many more details. I saw the movie on the big screen and now I think I want to see it again on dvd. Good review, Barbara.

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  3. We also loved this one so much. Glad u got a chance to see it.

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