The Help Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A white woman uses black women’s trauma to write a bestseller and escape her small town, leaving the black women to deal with the fallout.

🍿 The Help: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Skeeter’s Return and Aspirations

In 1960s Mississippi, Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan returns home from college with dreams of becoming a writer. She finds her friends focused on marriage and motherhood, while she yearns for something more. Skeeter is troubled by the disappearance of Constantine, the family’s beloved maid who raised her. Skeeter takes a job writing a housekeeping advice column for the local newspaper, despite knowing little about housekeeping. This leads her to seek help from Aibileen Clark, a black maid working for one of Skeeter’s friends. Their collaboration sparks an idea in Skeeter: to write a book from the perspective of the black maids working in white households.

Aibileen and Minny’s Courage

Aibileen is the first to cautiously agree to share her experiences with Skeeter. She has witnessed firsthand the racism and inequality prevalent in Jackson, Mississippi. Aibileen’s friend, Minny Jackson, known for her outspokenness and excellent cooking, also joins the project. Minny faces her own struggles, including being fired by the cruel Hilly Holbrook. As Skeeter gains the trust of more maids, their stories of hardship, resilience, and love begin to form a powerful narrative. The women risk their livelihoods and safety to speak out against the injustices they face daily. The threat of discovery looms large as they navigate the dangerous racial climate of the time.

The Book’s Publication and Fallout

Skeeter completes the book, titled ‘The Help,’ and it is published to widespread acclaim and controversy. The book exposes the harsh realities of the maids’ lives, challenging the social norms of Jackson, Mississippi. The town’s residents suspect the book is about them, leading to tension and accusations. Hilly Holbrook, furious at being exposed, attempts to discredit the book and the women involved. However, the impact of ‘The Help’ extends beyond the town, sparking conversations and challenging perceptions about race and class in America.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis): Aibileen is a compassionate and resilient African American maid who bravely shares her stories of working for white families in 1960s Mississippi.
• Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone): Skeeter is an ambitious young white woman who challenges societal norms by documenting the experiences of black maids in a book.
• Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer): Minny is a strong-willed and outspoken African American maid known for her excellent cooking and defiance against racial injustice.
• Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard): Hilly is the main antagonist, a prejudiced and manipulative socialite who embodies the racist attitudes of the time.
• Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain): Celia is a kind-hearted but socially awkward white woman who befriends Minny and challenges the rigid social hierarchy.
• Elizabeth Leefolt (Ahna O’Reilly): Elizabeth is a somewhat passive white woman and friend of Skeeter’s, who relies on Aibileen to raise her children and maintain her home, but still demonstrates the ingrained prejudices of the time.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Aibileen: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” – Aibileen’s mantra to Mae Mobley, instilling confidence and self-worth in the young girl.
• Minny: “Eat my shit.” – Minny’s defiant act of revenge against Hilly Holbrook, a moment of cathartic rebellion.
• Aibileen: “I always thought after you quit work for somebody, you stopped carin’.” – Aibileen expresses her surprise that Skeeter still cares about her, highlighting the unusual bond they formed.
• Skeeter: “Wasn’t that the point of the book? That we are just people? It’s not about black and white. It’s about right and wrong.” – Skeeter articulates the central message of the book and the film – the importance of recognizing shared humanity over racial divides.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $169,708,112
• Worldwide Gross: $221,802,186

💥 The Help Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘The Help’ in the theater and being completely swept away by the story. Viola Davis’ performance was incredible; her eyes alone conveyed so much pain and resilience. I loved the unlikely friendship between Skeeter and Aibileen, and how they both grew because of it. The scene where Mae Mobley is shouting out the window for Aibileen as she leaves – that’s still gets me teared up! Sure, it might not be a perfect depiction of the era, but it sparked important conversations, and that’s what matters most to me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about the Civil Rights era”
  • “Those who appreciate strong female characters”
  • “Readers of the novel”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Racial slurs and discrimination”
  • “Depictions of prejudice”
  • “Mature themes related to social injustice”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While some find it simplistic, ‘The Help’ is undeniably powerful, boasting superb performances, particularly from Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, and offering a moving look at a difficult chapter in American history.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert praised the film’s performances and emotional impact, acknowledging its mainstream approach while still appreciating its ability to connect with a wide audience and highlight the injustices of the time.
• A.O. Scott: “Scott noted the film’s tendency towards sentimentality and its focus on the white character’s perspective, suggesting that it simplifies the complexities of race relations in the 1960s South. Still, he also acknowledged the power of the performances.

Audience Reactions

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer’s performances were universally praised for their depth and authenticity.: Viewers were deeply moved by the film’s depiction of the struggles and triumphs of the African American maids.

Bryce Dallas Howard’s portrayal of Hilly Holbrook made her one of the most hated villains of the year.: Many found the movie inspiring and heartwarming, highlighting the power of friendship and courage in the face of adversity.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Help’ is a well-acted and emotionally resonant film that sparks dialogue about a difficult time in American history, though some critique its simplistic approach.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 2012
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture)- 2012
3. Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture)- 2012

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kathryn Stockett’s book, on which this film is based, was rejected 60 times before it was eventually published.”
• “The film was shot in Greenwood, Mississippi, to maintain authenticity and capture the feel of the 1960s South.”
• “Octavia Spencer won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Minny Jackson.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Help?

The Help is widely available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) are also readily available from major retailers like Amazon and Target.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Help, you might like these similar films:

• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962): Deals with racial injustice in the South through the eyes of a child and a morally upright lawyer.
• Hidden Figures (2016): Celebrates the contributions of African American women in a segregated society, highlighting their intelligence and resilience.
• Driving Miss Daisy (1989): Explores the evolving friendship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African American chauffeur in the mid-20th century South.
• Green Book (2018): A story of a white driver hired to drive an African American musician through the segregated American South in the 1960s. Highlighting discrimination but also the possibility of change.

🛒 The Help Related Products

• The Help [Blu-ray]: Experience the stunning visuals and powerful story of ‘The Help’ in high definition. Includes bonus features like deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage.
• The Help: A Novel by Kathryn Stockett: Delve deeper into the characters and story with the bestselling novel that inspired the film. Experience the richness of the narrative in its original form.
• The Help Movie Poster: A high-quality print featuring the iconic poster art from the movie. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for ‘The Help’.
• The Help Inspired ‘Eat My Shit’ Chocolate Pie Recipe T-Shirt: A humorous T-shirt referencing the memorable pie scene from the movie. A fun and slightly edgy way to show your fandom.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Help features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Living Proof” – performed by Mary J. Blige
• “Jackson” – performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
• “Come See About Me” – performed by The Supremes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

I didn’t steal no silver #thehelp #shorts #emmastone #octavia

Check out this iconic scene from ‘The Help’ between Skeeter (Emma Stone) and Minny (Octavia Spencer). It’s a hilarious and heartwarming moment that perfectly captures the film’s themes of friendship and racial tension in the 1960s South.

Octavia Spencer Wins Best Supporting Actress: 84th Oscars (2012)

Watch the emotional moment when Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in ‘The Help.’ Her speech is truly inspiring and will give you chills.

Minny’s special chicken is not to be played with | The help

Get ready for a good laugh with this hilarious scene from ‘The Help’ featuring Minny’s famous fried chicken. It’s a side-splitting moment that will make you appreciate the power of good cooking.

The fried chicken looks really good,Celia #thehelp #shorts #emmastone #violadavis#octavia Spencer

Join Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer in this delightful clip from ‘The Help’ as they discuss the finer points of fried chicken. It’s a lighthearted and charming moment that showcases the camaraderie between the cast members.

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