My friend Erin P. has joined some random, local cinema society (average age: 74…not kidding, we heard a giant thump during the movie—an old guy fell asleep and keeled over in the aisle). She had two tickets to an early screening of The Help, with Emma Stone. So I went after work.
I hadn’t been too interested in the movie—I thought it looked cheesy, but afterwards…well, I’m a believer. It was really moving. And funny. Actress Jessica Chastain was soo amazing, as was Viola Davis, Sissy Spacek, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Octavia Spencer. They were my favorites.
A lot of the lines were hard to understand because of everyone’s strong Mississippi accents and talking too fast. At one point, I asked Erin what one of the characters had said, and she shouted out something really racist, including the “N” word, when the movie and theater had gone quiet. (Granted, she was repeating the line, but like, a minute later.)
There were a lot of women in this movie, which you don’t see very often. Even Steel Magnolias had more men than this one. So that’s great. And I learned a lot about race relations in the 60s. After having read biographies, novels, and oral histories (mostly for school, I’ll admit), I thought I knew all there was to know about how people were treated and what fed the Civil Rights movement. But honestly, this movie was an education. And it was interesting.
It was also funny. But I mentioned that earlier. Two thumbs up!
I read this book in book club after my mom had asked me to read it for like a year… and I really liked it. I didn’t think I would. Can’t wait to see the movie!
I absolute loved that book & I can’t wait to see the movie! I’m glad you liked it even though you weren’t very interested from the beginning- I think that’s a good sign.
I read this book a month ago and absolutely loved it! I’m looking forward to the movie, hoping it does the book justice! Thanks for the review!
I really enjoyed reading the book and I’m looking forward to the movie. My only fear is that it won’t live up to my expectations, but after reading this I’m a little less worried.
Wow! So many people read the book! Let me know, after you see the movie, if I should read it.
meanley, did you know tessa worked on this movie?
Wait, did a guy really collapse in the theater? That is nuts! I hope he’s okay.
The movie did look really cheesy but I’m willing to give it a go if you recommend it. I know you would not lead us astray!
Aw!! First, I did not know Tessa worked on this movie! This must be why she missed Sofia’s wedding. @Dancing, the guy was fine. They picked him back up. I did worry that he’d break a hip. It’s basically over for you if you do. Why DID the movie look so cheesy? B/c of the costumes and southern accents? I don’t know. But I swear it wasn’t!