Feb 2

Feb 2 The Help (2011)

Based on Kathryn Stockett's excellent novel, this film disappoints from the outset. Beginning with several poor casting choices, undercut by unsuitable music, and plagued by a bad script and bad directing, the film never settles on a point of view. Though faithful in chunks to the source material, it also alters or omits enough detail to frustrate readers and bewilder audiences. With its pedigree, The Help should have headed straight for Oscar contention; instead, it fails to deliver on its meaningful subject matter.

(out of ***)

2011 • 2 HOURS, 26 MINUTES
DREAMWORK PICTURES • RELIANCE ENTERTAINMENT • PARTICIPANT MEDIA • IMAGENATION • 1492 PICTURES • HARBINGER PICTURES

STARRING
• EMMA STONE, VIOLA DAVIS, BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

ALSO STARRING
• OCTAVIA SPENCER, JESSICA CHASTAIN, ALLISON JANNEY

WRITTEN BY
• TATE TAYLOR
• KATHRYN STOCKETT (BASED ON THE BOOK)

DIRECTED BY
• TATE TAYLOR

2011 ACADEMY AWARDS (1)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: OCTAVIA SPENCER

ADDITIONAL 2011 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (3)
• BEST PICTURE (LOST TO THE ARTIST)
• BEST ACTRESS: VIOLA DAVIS (LOST TO MERYL STREEP FOR THE IRON LADY)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JESSICA CHASTAIN (LOST TO OCTAVIA SPENCER FOR THE HELP)