I figured I'd take the time today to lay out my pros and cons for THE HELP as I see them. I know this movie might divide audiences and opinions, but I've always liked it.
The pros:
1) The cast. One of the most critical aspects of a movie is its cast, and THE HELP is superbly cast. Emma Stone as Skeeter Phelan, Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, and Octavia Spencer as Minnie Jackson give us a delightfully funny lead trio, with Stone and Davis shining particularly as the unlikely (for the era) friendship develops between the two women. Spencer is hilarious as the comedic relief, and so is Sissy Spacek in the small, but very memorable role of Mrs. Walters. Bryce Dallas Howard is devilishly good as Hilly Holbrook, the main antagonist of the piece. I'd argue that Allison Janney as Mrs. Charlotte Phelan is a close runner up as the villain, especially considering her treatment of her "help" and her own daughter (but more on that later). Jessica Chastain probably gives the most realistic and heartfelt performance as town outcast Celia Foote. Ahna O'Reilly, Anna Camp, and Mary Steenburgen are good in their smaller roles of Elizabeth Leefolt, Jolene French, and Miss Elaine Stein, respectively. THE HELP isn't too heavy on male cast members, but there are a few that standout in the mix. I really like Mike Vogel as Celia's husband Johnny Foote, and I like the chemistry Chris Lowell shares with Stone as her would-be-beau Stuart Whitworth. This movie has a really good cast, and it definitely elevates the material. Even if you find the movie dated, misguided, or inaccurate, you cannot deny that the cast here is top-notch. They all give exceptionally good performances.
2) The humor. Most advertisements (especially the film trailers) would have you believe that THE HELP is a great comedy, and it does has some delicious comedy moments. I cannot express how I enjoy the "terrible awful" subplot involving Minnie and Miss Hilly. It is pure gold, and Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard play that little bit too the hilt. Sissy Spacek, as I mentioned above, provides a good dose of comedic relief, as does Jessica Chastain in spots. Chastain's character Celia basically serves as the opposite of the other prim and proper ladies of Jackson, Mississippi. THE HELP is a definite "feel good" movie for me.
3) The 1960s setting. I know this "pro" might seem a little thin for some viewers. I always like to watch movies set in the past. This is primarily because of my admiration for movies from previous decades, and also my interest in seeing how modern society reacts and depicts such events in the past. While I won't go on record defending THE HELP for any great historical accuracy, I will say that I like the look, style, and music choices for this film. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I always get excited when I hear the song "Jackson" playing near the beginning being sang by Johnny Cash and June Carter. I like the inclusion of "The Twist" by Chubby Checker when Hilly's racing to Skeeter's house at the end. Good stuff (in my mind at least).
The cons:
1) The sadness. What many advertisements left out about THE HELP was the more sad parts of the story. Being set in a very racist part of history, this movie is naturally going to have several scenes and instances where people of color are not treated correctly. Of course, those scenes aren't easy to watch, and for that reason alone, I'll forego any description of those scenes for our purposes here. What I also don't like is the subplot surrounding Cicely Tyson as Constantine. The way Miss Charlotte fires her and shuts the door in her face breaks my heart every time. And with this most recent viewing, I just cannot get it out of my mind. I just see her gently scrapping the screen door as Allison Janney slams it in her face. There's other sad things throughout, such as the spousal abuse Minnie suffers, Celia's miscarriages, the story of Aibileen's son's death, and so forth.
2) The way Stuart treats Skeeter. I like that the movie wants to give Skeeter a beau, especially since her mother continuously rides her about landing a man. Stuart is originally a jerk to Skeeter, but they eventually get sweet on each other and become an item. But Stuart doesn't like the book Skeeters writes, and he bails on her. I've always hated that. Piggy-backing on that, I don't like how Charlotte treats Skeeter. She has very little regard towards her daughter's feelings, and she basically tells her all the time just how unattractive she is when Skeeter's just being herself. Bad representation of a mother-daughter relationship.
3) The way Celia's outcast. While I certainly understand this story tactic, I still never like how the snotty ladies hide from Celia when she shows up at Elizabeth's house. And the way that Hilly verbally attacks her at the benefit ball is ridiculous... until Johnny steps in anyway. The movie wouldn't have been the same had Celia been in the "inner circle" and therefore Celia and Minnie wouldn't have needed each other the way the did.
In saying all that, I want to reinstate that I do really enjoy THE HELP as a movie. I also know that it isn't everyone's cup-of-tea, but it is a movie that I like to revisit occasionally.
