The Help (2011)
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An aspiring writer in 1960s Mississippi risks everything to give a voice to the oppressed women who work as domestic servants.
The story
In 1963, Aibileen Clark is an African-American domestic worker in Jackson, Mississippi, working for a socialite. Her friend, Minny Jackson, works for a local family. When Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, an aspiring writer, is hired to write a housekeeping column, she witnesses the systemic racism and mistreatment of the maids. After a series of events, including the assassination of Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers, Skeeter decides to write a book of interviews to expose the experiences of these women. Aibileen and Minny agree to be interviewed, despite the risks involved in the segregated South, as they seek to share their stories of life as 'the help'.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1963 Mississippi, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson are domestic workers facing the harsh realities of segregation. Aibileen works for a socialite, while Minny works for a family led by the formidable Hilly Holbrook. Skeeter Phelan, an aspiring writer, decides to document the lives of these women in a book titled 'The Help'. As the Civil Rights Movement intensifies, the women risk their safety to share their stories of love, hardship, and the discrimination they face. The narrative follows their interactions with Skeeter and their respective employers, including the ostracized Celia Rae Foote. The story culminates in the publication of the book, which is read by both black and white communities. Skeeter's book becomes a platform for the maids, leading to various outcomes for the characters, including Aibileen's decision to leave domestic work and Minny's security in her job. The film concludes with the publication of the book and the personal growth of the women involved.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 146
- Production countries
- United States; India; United Arab Emirates
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tate Taylor
- Writers
- Tate Taylor · writer
- Cast and characters
- Emma Stone · Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan; Viola Davis · Aibileen Clark; Bryce Dallas Howard · Hilly; Octavia Spencer · Minny; Jessica Chastain · Celia Rae Foote; Allison Janney · Charlotte Phelan
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- racism; discrimination; civil rights; sisterhood
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- historical fiction; based on a novel
- Source material / true-story basis
- Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $221.8 million worldwide and receiving generally positive reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 7.00 · scale: 10 · review count: 231; CinemaScore · score: A+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · won; Academy Award · Best Picture · nominated; Academy Award · Best Actress · nominated; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · nominated; Screen Actors Guild Award · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · won
- Production trivia
- The film was the most significant film production in Mississippi since O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).; The film's score features music from artists like Johnny Cash, Frankie Valli, and Ray Charles.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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