Blu-ray Review
The Help
Directed by: Tate Taylor Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard Running Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Rating: PG-13
Due Out: December 6, 2011
PLOT: Based on Kathryn Stockett’s book, the story of one woman (Stone) looking into the ways that white people mistreat their black housekeepers in the segregated South in the 1960s.
WHO’S IT FOR? Minorities should flock to this story. It’s an angle of racism I haven’t seen. Also, there’s a good amount of humor to keep the masses entertained.
MOVIE:
Racism in the ’60s. We’ve heard it all before. Oops. Nope. We haven’t. Just like the stories of soldiers during WWII, racist injustices might be an inexhaustible subject in the right hands. Director Tate Taylor’s are definitely the right hands.
The first third of the movie feels ordinary. It shows black women are victims, white women are evil and Emma Stone plays our white crusader, out to make a difference. We’ve been there before. Yes, the first third is ordinary, but after that it becomes extraordinary. They find the perfect balance of showing you what black housekeepers had to go through in the South in the ’60s. Many households demanded a separate bathroom be used because they believed they could catch diseases from their help. The Help finds this balance with comedy. When things are awful, comedy can help the people through and in this case help the audience.
If you can’t make a complete movie, I always prefer a strong ending more than a great start. The Help starts slow, but with 2 hours and 15 minutes, it has time to make up for that. It gives us another important perspective of American history, plenty of humor and heart, and characters we can truly care about.
MOVIE SCORE: 8/10
EXTRAS
Blu-ray Three deleted scenes with introductions by Tate Taylor In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi The Making Of The Help: From Friendship To Film
DVD Mary J. Blige “The Living Proof” music video Two additional deleted scenes with introductions by Tate Taylor