"The Help"--MBC Movie Review

12My, my, my..."The Help" is a classic.

Did anyone else notice that what's-her-face, Miss Millie from "The Color Purple," was in this piece? I was so happy to see her that I couldn't dislike the character she played in the movie.

Nothing...well, nothing important...was left out of "The Help" movie. Sure, it abandoned the book's plot at times but it was forgiveable. Overall, I gave the movie a 9! I appreciate how they never showed Leroy's face. He remained just a voice and a mean "presence." It was as if Leroy could be any wife-beating man...of any race and any creed. We certainly don't need any more negative black male portrayals...

Speaking of portrayals, as far as the question of whether the movie reinforces stereotypes, I think we as a race need to get over it. The fact that Minnie liked fried chicken and was a soul food extraordinaire was a viable, defendable part of the plot. After all, her cooking skills allowed her to do the "terrible awful" and therefore provided a cover for their underground book...likewise, the fact that Minnie showed a neck-rolling, tell-it-like-it-is style was equally important...and it was only one of her several dimensions. Her bodacious personality cowarded when it came to her abusive husband, Leroy. Similarly, Minnie was a teddy bear when it came to Miss Celia Foote.

 I like the colors and TEXTURE of the movie...the femininity...the good ol' American feel...the cinematography...the pivotal history lesson.  Admittedly, I knew little about Medgar Evars.

I loved little Mae Mobley, affectionately known to Aibileen as "Baby Girl" who acted her heart out...Viola Davis, Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer all did fine jobs as well!

I give it a 9, but only because I found Aibileen to be TOO spirited and happy, which was in contrast with the book. Also, they should've shown how she took over the Miss Merna column. That's HUGE to leave out. The movie didn't showcase how much and how well Aibileen wrote.

Still...Oscar, Ebert and Ana give it 4 stars!