The Help

2011 • Drama • PG-13

Aibileen Clark is a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson is an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.

Runtime: 2h 26m

Kathryn Stockett's novel 'The Help' offers a rich tapestry of voices and experiences that can only be fully appreciated through the written word. The book delves deeply into the lives and inner thoughts of three courageous women in 1960s Mississippi, painting a detailed picture of the societal norms and challenges of the era. Through its powerful and evocative narrative, 'The Help' provides a nuanced perspective on race and identity that resonates on a personal level, in a way only literature can. The novel allows readers to immerse themselves in the personal journeys of the characters, offering an intimacy and understanding that extends beyond the confines of a movie screenplay. Each character’s voice is distinct and memorable, drawing you into their world in a way that film adaptations can't fully capture. By choosing to read 'The Help', you’ll find yourself contemplating the complex human emotions and relationships that drive the story, providing a deeper empathy and insight into the trials and tribulations of that pivotal time in American history.