The Help
Melodrama about racism in the United States occurred in the 1960s, “The Help” seduces with its ample classical structures and beautiful actresses perfectly directed. Oscar season has already begun.
It is not always good to be a black woman in Jackson Mississippi in the 1960s. Especially not as good for Minny (Octavia Spencer) who loses his job and Aibileen (Viola Davis) that is sometimes more close to the children than she raises than their own mother. This landed in their lives as a budding journalist (Emma Stone) who would like to write a book on their profession.
The premise of this film adaptation of the popular novel by Kathryn Stockett could scare. Yet the traditional consensus story of friendship between people of different skin at a time when tolerance was not welcome?? We add to this the eternal battle of sex in a mass grave in which time the release of the woman knew its infancy and all the ingredients of the game appeared for the public kind of Oprah Winfrey.
“The Help” is fortunately not completely classified in this category. Yes, the script is full of great values, moral uplifting and is keen to elicit tears from its audience. Except that on the whole, the charge is intended rather subtle. Director Tate Taylor (to whom we owe the annoying “Pretty Ugly People” in 2008) does not try to imitate the Steven Spielberg of the time “The Color Purple”. He takes care to discuss his situation without too much sentimentality and pessimistic. And he does not opt for simplicity so insidious “Women’s 6e Floor”. The filmmaker follows closely, but not its surface a few slices of life that eventually will include. Without the social class and devotion of a James Ivory (it is still not “The Remains of the Day”) and the key to a memorable Douglas Sirk, but without insulting the intelligence provided by embedding the all under the rose water.
Although a bit long (around 2:30) and generally predictable, the story never bores. The time is faithfully reproduced, the pace remains alert and careful staging consistently favors the emotion and the characters. These are numerous and well developed. Emma Stone is quick to mention her ridiculous wig with a sensitive performance; Octavia Spencer demonstrated great confidence and Viola Davis also attract all eyes with her haggard face, between fear and resignation. These three musketeers are solidly supported by Bryce Dallas Howard who plays a wicked perfectly odious, by Jessica Chastain who enchants by its vulnerability and reckless, and Sissy Spacek, funny in a secondary role.
Although it does not take any risk, “The Help” is exactly what he has to do. That is to say, remember the past injustices to remember all the battles that took place. From the moment we have excellent interpreters and that treats the subject with tact, the boat will never be found in the lake.
