Monday Movie Meme - The Help

Today on the Monday Movie Meme, I'm going to talk about a movie that my kids and I saw this week (along with a billion other book lovers) - The Help. 

I read this book right after it was published, in the spring of 2009.  In fact, it had the distinct honor of being my very first download on my Kindle.  I couldn't have made a better choice either.  I later convinced my book club (Books, Babes & Bordeaux) to read it, and it has since become a phenomenon in the literary world.  Perhaps even to the level of a "modern classic".  Even dudes are reading it, evidenced by a very humorous post by Greg at New Dork Review of Books.  The world loves this book.  It isn't a surprise to me that it is an Amy Einhorn book.  I heart A.E.

And the whole world of devotees to the story's essence held their breath, hoping and praying that the movie did the book justice.  We've all heard the reports of Kathryn Stockett's childhood friend, a relatively unproven, directing the movie, ensuring the spirit of the thing was captured.  We've heard the griping and the scandals, as there always are when something is on the brink of greatness, trying to steal the mojo.

My kids have been hearing about the book since I read it over two years ago, so they were hyped to see it, and I was happy to take them.  Yes, I knew there would be some swear words, but at this point, my kids have heard it all and are mature enough to handle it.  I knew they would barely blink an eye, when the real focus would be the racial hatred present in 1960's Mississippi.  In a summer of brainless fluff, I was thrilled that they would see something of substance.   

So how did it stand up?  Well, I have memory issues, and since it has been over two years since I read the book, I can't say for sure that the movie stuck to the book word for word.  But it was close enough to pass muster for me.  The essence, whether it be the relationship between Skeeter and her mother, the danger of the maids' mission, or the spunk of Minny...is all there.

My image of Skeeter was originally one of plainness and frump, so I was unsure of the casting of Emma Stone for the part because Emma is so damned beautiful.  But they frizzed up her hair, and gave her some screw-you moxie that was improper in the South at the time, and she fit the part to a tee.  There isn't a man, or a woman for that matter, who can't love her.  My kids loved her, and thought she portrayed a gutsy young women who would stand up for her values no matter what.  A good role model, I would say.
      

Octavia Spencer (who narrated in the audiobooks) and Viola Davis were perfection.  They portrayed spunky and moral women who had been worn down by their lot in life.  Minny was funny as hell, with her "big awful", and made my kids and I laugh at her antics.  I do believe my daughter was fist-pumping when she learned about the pie.

The supporting actresses, primarily Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain playing Hilly and Celia, were larger than life.  Howard, daughter of Ron Howard, is building a career of her own, separate from dad, and in this case, she did her job by making you hate her.  Vengeance will be served, on a plate with whipped cream, bitch!  Celia was hootchie but good-hearted, and you wished you could befriend her and give her a hug. 

Was the movie better than the book?  No, I wouldn't say that.  But it did it justice, and I would encourage each and every one of you to see the movie whether you have read the book or not.  Will there be Oscar nominations?  I've not seen any hint of it, but wouldn't that be cool? 

There were tearful moments, and I think my kids got a solid lesson in racial bigotry and courage that I'm proud that they appreciated.