I know that there has been some controversary about the race of the author telling a story about women of a different race in a difficult time in American history...but as Octavia Spencer (Minny) said in an interview, just see the movie before you decide!
I can tell you that it is worth it for the storyline, the humanity that shows in the movie and even the clothing from that time period...especially if you are a vintage afficiendo who loves clothing from the early 60s ala Jackie Kennedy.
So I hope that you can find time during this weekend or in the next couple of days to go and check out this awesome movie...it is so much better than the silliness that was Sex and the City 2 and I would hate for that movie to do better at the box office than this one!
I do have one criticism and even that is too strong a word...if you've read the book they do change one major storyline making it more palatable...but I've forgiven the producers for that because they are so true to the book in every other way! Academy Award nominations should be awarded to these wonderful actresses who turned in amazing performances!
Viola Davis (Abileen)
Octavia Spencer (Minny)
Bryce Dallas Howard (Hilly)
Take a chance and bring some tissues because this movie will touch your heart!
...as always, more later
I'd like to go see it, and the clothes do look great! All my friends are going tonight, and I can't because my daughter is having her first slumber party. Which is a good reason not to go, but still-- :(
ReplyDeleteI want to see it. My daughter wants to see it. Though she has quite the social life, maybe we can make it happen!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, now you've got me wondering about which missing story line is gone. Good to know that you enjoyed the movie. Sometimes I find a movie version annoying when I've enjoyed a book so much. I guess the movie they make doesn't live up to the movie I made in my head:-) of course, I've had that same problem with a new sewing project that doesn't live up to my expectations.
ReplyDeleteAs a white girl,born in 1956, raised in Memphis, who loved our maid Linny, and could not understand why we sang "red and yellow, black and white,they are precious in His sight" in Sunday School and then acted different than that all week, I can't wait to see it. I loved the book. Linny taught me to iron, saving the handkerchiefs and napkins for me, and if I was very good, she would let me touch her cornrows. Her gray hair felt like steel wool. We were not in as high a social class as the fmailies in the book, and I think we treated Linny better. I hope so. My Grandpa was paralyzed and in a hospital bed from a stroke, and lived with us, and Linny left after he died. I always think of Linny when I am ironing.
ReplyDeleteI saw an interview with the actresses on the 700 club, and it made me want to see it. The clothes were amazing they matched the pictures I have of my mother and aunts from that period.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the book, I checked the back cover to verify the race of the author. I thought she did a good job telling the Help's story. Like Jane M, I'm wondering which story line was changed. And, I'm usually disappointed when I see movie versions of books I like. But I definitely plan on seeing the movie, hopefully this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI read the book and saw the movie. I thought it was a good movie. It didn't evoke the strong feelings that I've read from a lot of people. However, I'd like to make it clear that every Black woman from that era was NOT "The Help". I can't even think of a single person in my family that was a domestic and I live in Alabama. And I'd also like to mention that this was no "Happy Mammy" movie. It took a strong brand of woman to work for those women and absorb that type of treatment. Look at Minny - 19 jobs! She wasn't having it! And also, I didn't get any warm good feelings either. It was a story -- simple.
ReplyDeleteI just this morning downloaded the audio book of this to my iphone. Can't wait to get into it.
ReplyDeleteEvery time someone has mentioned concerns over the "racial tone" of the movie, the first question I ask them is, "Did you read the book." And I'm floored by how many of them say NO. How can you stand there and criticize both the movie you haven't seen and the book you haven't read! People amaze me. I read the book and thought it was a great story and an eye opening period piece for me.
ReplyDeleteThe book definately owned my eyes. I liked it very much and look forward to seeing the film especially nose I've read the reviews.
ReplyDeleteI saw the previews a couple of weeks ago. The clothes that I saw in the preview are fabulous.I will go and see it this week.
ReplyDeleteThe book was fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie - thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to see it with friends tonight and really looking forward to it. I listened to this story as an audiobook and it is by far my favorite audiobook ever! Octavia Spencer was so amazing as the voice of Minny, I'm sure that's why they snapped her up for the movie version.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info. I loved, loved, loved, the book. I read it when it was first released on my Sony Reader. Being a child of the south and living through some of that history, it touched my heart in many ways. I can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the book and hope that the film comes to England because I'd like to see it, even though I tend not to see the films of books that I've enjoyed for fear that they will ruin them.
ReplyDeleteI've got my guess as to the storyline that they omitted...
Glad to hear that you liked the movie as I haven't been all that enamored of the commercials for it. I loved the book and I too wonder what story line they left out.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing this film. Any movie (or play) that features Viola Davis in the cast has got to be some kind of wonderful!
ReplyDeletesmall note... It's Bryce Dallas Howard. I remember because she's named after my hometown.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the movie, and after that the book!
my honey and I are going to see it tomorrow for our date night, I've been anxiously waiting for it as well
ReplyDeleteI am currently & slowly reading the book, savoring every written word. I am not a movie goer and will patiently wait for the dvd.
ReplyDeleteWell I loved the book! Now to find a girlfriend to go see the movie with me because I know JB won't. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI will say - reading this book was an eye opener for me. I can't believe that people were treated that way. I know it's true, sadly, but it baffles me. Having been raised in the PNW and nobody I knew having help. g
I haven't finished the book yet and will probably see the movie. To comment on how help was treated it still happens today just listen to how service industry employees are treated in restaurants and stores by patrons. Those who think they have the right to treat others demeanily will regardless of the laws or common decentence .
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I'm glad you liked it. I haven't read the book, but I was interested in reading the book, and of course seeing the movie...then Melissa Harris-Perry tweeted and gave her opinion/review of the movie. She was so critical, I then felt guilty about my interest. I'm always interested in a good story, particularly about the South, as I now live here. Anyway, thanks to you, I will set aside my guilt and DH and I will go see it. I don't think I caught how she felt about the book itself.
ReplyDeleteFor those who are disappointed sometimes by movie adaptations, Roger Ebert once said they are two different works, and should be evaluated as totally different things. I try to keep that in mind now, so I'm rarely disappointed in movies if I liked the book. A book is a book. And the movie should stand alone. :-)
I loved the book and hope I don't have to wait too long for the movie, though there is a possibility it won't come to HK at all. One way or another I will get to see it!
ReplyDeleteA million thank yous for posting this review - I've been having a difficult conversation with someone on Color Lines, who won't see the movie, and hasn't read the book, but truly believes that both are no more than more "whitewashing" the civil rights movement.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book so very much, and was worried that the movie wouldn't translate well, and because of that, I was beginning to doubt myself.
I really appreciate hearing from someone whose opinion I respect, that the movie worked out all right.
loved that book - guessing the pie incident might have been changed.I never saw that one coming but god it was good.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the book so I'm very glad that you think that the movie was good - I'm now looking forward to it coming to the UK.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Unfortunately I am not sure they would show this movie in Russia but perhaps I'll be able to find the book somehow...
ReplyDeleteHere in Russia it is easy to see some stupid Grown Ups or smth of that kind and it is quite a problem even to get acquainted with a good story - either book or movie...
The movie is about to come here and I am dying to see it. I loved the book ever since the day my daughter drove over and said "you have to read this." Not being from the South I probably saw the women in it and felt their stories. I saw women who worked too hard and women you wanted to smack in the mouth. My grandmother's best friend was "the help" for a family in Winnipeg and we grew up hearing stories about a family that insisted the cake be thrown out once it had even one piece cut out of it, can you imagine, of course my mother ate those cakes when they were smuggled home. Those days are long gone now but the images and stories of strong women remain and need to be told. Erica has a good point. I wondered about the authority of the author once I realized she wasn't writing from within and then I realized that maybe that is part of the message, what is good is good and what isn't isn't.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned the Chanel series that you watched on PBS or Youtube. Tried to look for this but couldn't find it. Is there a specific title to this series? Would love to see it for the workroom scenes. Love to see how they put a collection together.
ReplyDeleteSaw it yesterday with DH. We loved it. A few deviations from the book, but not a rewrite and the characters were pretty true to their book personas. I enjoyed the clothes too--glad I don't wear them this time around, however!
ReplyDeleteLynda
My mom and I have our own mini-book club, just she and I and we went to enjoy the movie together. Three generations, my mom, me and my daughter enjoyed a movie willing to broach a prickly subject. I'm glad that the humanity was shown of all. Though for those who's grandmothers were domestics, know that the bitter was far more bitter and long reaching than the scope of the movie or book could ever approach. But the sweet was a pleasure to see.
ReplyDeleteI "read" the book (on CD) and fell in love with the characters. I am glad to hear that you were not offended by the portrayal of these women who were in my mind nothing more than strong courageous and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had hoped to get to the movies this weekend but sewing got in the way:) I am trying to get a few pieces together before I head to LA for ASG conference next weekend. It is my first conference and I am so excited.
I read your blog regularly and want you to know that you are an inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to write. Karen
When I was reading, the book had me 'addicted' until I finished it. I am eager to see the movie.
ReplyDeleteI have been so happy hearing good reviews of this movie, since I loved the book and was hoping that it would be another The Color Purple, in that the movie was as good, if not better than the book. We saw a preview in the theater for it and I was crying at the clip of the "blue book" scene in the church.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book and am looking forward to seeing the movie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know your read on this movie. I was just thinking the other day....how I haven't been to a good summer movie all season!! I'm going to try and catch this one for sure!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!!
:)
I too loved the book and the movie. Loved, loved Minnie. Octavia Spencer's performance was exactly how I pictured Minnie. Even her looks is how I pictured her. I agree with you on the Oscars except for Hilly. I think I would give it to Cissy Spacek. Anyways, my church group is going this Friday and am thinking of seeing it a 2nd time.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading the book right now on my Kindle (I love having my books available to me everywhere!) and loving it. Thanks for the pics it helps to put faces to the characters.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie this past weekend. I have urged all of my family members to see it. The one thing I give my parents thanks for was not immigrating to the South when we came to this country. NYC was a tad bit better, not much. Seeing "Constantine" was a pleasant surprise.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see also. I loved the book and reviewed it on my blog. The book still haunts me.. would i be able to stand up to them? Or would I end up eating a piece of the pie?
ReplyDeleteThis is one I've got to see in the theater! It's been forever since I've gone to a movie I wanted to see. I've got to track somebody down to come with me...soon!
ReplyDeleteI just listened to the audiobook from Audibles and it was great.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to be one of these women.
In SC, she worked for the junior senator and used to come home with all kinds of these stories.
It did not hit me until I listened to this novel.
It was very well written and if the movie is anything like it, I know it is awesome.
I would also like to thank you for your blog and the beautiful clothes you make- you inspire me so much.
And actually, to those critics who've been complaining about the black story being told by a white woman (not on here but elsewhere) - haven't they missed the point? That Kathryn Stockett is writing in the first person as Skeeter? That's how I interpreted it...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the movie. Yes, the movie does gloss over a lot of really evil acts that were perpetrated on "The Help". My grandmother, aunts, & cousin were domestics in NC, VA, and NY. I enjoyed the audio book prior to seeing the movie. It is a good beginning to at least acknowledge the indignities that occured.
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