Well, girls, with much anticipation, Monsieur and I went to see "The Help" Friday evening, and what a good time we had. I still say the book is more satisfying, because the printed page can get more inside a character's mind than on film, no matter how great the acting is. And there is plenty of great acting in "The Help!"
In fact, the perfectly assembled cast makes the film. They are helped by Thomas Newman's score, and some first rate camera work and art direction (the final shot is gorgeous!!!!!). Even the small parts are priceless--a cameo from Dana Ivey, a bit from Mary Steenburgen, and Sissy Spacek walks off with every scene she is in as Hilly's mother!!!!! And, yes, girls, (to those who know the book) the Pie is in the film!!!!!!
And yet..and yet. "The Help" wants to be serious, and at times is, but it is just also so darn pretty and picturesque that sometimes the seriousness gets lost. What I will remember most is the look on Cicely Tyson's (as Constantine) face as she is being dismissed from the existence of a family she has served faithfully for decades by Allison Janney as Charoltte Phelan. This exchange, with everything said only by the exchanged looks the actresses give, make the entire film's point in this moment than in the rest of it, good as that is.
And how about, at the end, with little May Mobley sobbing at the window for Aibilene, as her mother, Elizabeth (Ahna O'Reilly) tearfully turns away, knowing this is wrong, but too much of an acolyte of Hilly's to do what she knows to be right? I am telling you, I hated these two more than Hilly; at least with Hilly, you know what you are dealing with up front. But Charlotte and Elizabeth are even more dangerous-- the kind who will smile to your face, and stab you in the back!!!! Just like my ex-classmate, Diane Dykeman, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which is what is so fascinating about the acting overall. There is a lot of internalization going on-- Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard (used well, for a change!) are all skilled at it, and it is more through this than the dialogue itself that the message of the story comes through.
Considering how this film could have been ruined, I was surprised at how well it turned out. And yet..and yet..I wanted something more. Two casting errors--Jessica Chastain as Ceilia is more like a Monroe impersonator than Southern white trash!!!! I pictured her in the book as a sort of youngish version of Dolly Parton, with assets to match!!!! Jessica does not have such, darling, though she is crammed into the tightest outfits the wardrobe department could find to make her seem such. Yet she still comes off as an actress playing white trash, not one inhabiting it. Same with La Chanze in the brief role of Constantine's daughter, Rachel. She does not inhabit her role the same as the others, and why they dismissed the actuality of her being able to pass up north for white (like Jeanne Crain in "Pinky") I could not fathom!!!!!!
But "The Help" is worth seeing for lots of reasons, chiefly the two scenes mentioned, and the one where Charlotte throws Hilly off her property!!!! As Monsieur said, she all but says, "Get off those steps, you trashy wench! Get off this land!"
Which you know I have no trouble saying, darlings!!!!!!
And girls, you will think twice next time someone presents you with a chocolate pie!!!!!!!!!!
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