The Help

Kind in a black and white way and a little too obtrusive female drama that is occasionally ridiculously naive (there are three types of character; a cheerful black lady with a troubled past endowed with common sense, an affected xenophobic, upper-class white lady and men who we don’t see or, when we eventually do, then they invariably run away from their problems). It rides on the harmless, tearjerker wave, but never delves beneath the surface... We only take a look there in the opening scene and that is by far the best moment in the movie. (20/11/2011)

I am sorry that in a country of my origin we do not know how to make such beautiful films about our past. The formal side of textbook-perfect Hollywood filmmaking is merely a means of telling a curious story which, especially today, with Barack Obama on the American throne, is of enormous importance and historical value. Perfectly cast, costumed and directed actors – basically every character and performance is absolutely excellent, without the need to scream and dramatize or depress the audience. Or to try to look particularly profound, as The Help is inherently profound thanks to its story. It is also amazing due to its subtle delivery. I went to the theatre more out of duty than genuine interest, expecting to see another “Oscar-winning template full of hysterical women and racial issues that don’t concern me” and instead got the nicest movie experience of the past year. There wasn’t a dry eye in the cinema. (25/01/2012)

Despite the fact that Skeeter's story openly appeals to emotions through its narrative, soundtrack, and gradually revealed small details, I am surprised by how straightforward it actually is. There is no hiding of the main theme within various subplots, no treading water. From the first significant scene, it delivers a clear message at a higher speed and easily maintains it for over two hours. Thanks to this, the triple catharsis feels even more impactful. Perhaps if there had been a more definitive, slightly more fateful conclusion, I would have been completely satisfied. In that case, I felt that I could have handled an additional five minutes of voiceover in a slightly distant future during the end credits. Nevertheless, The Help has won me over not only with its storytelling power but also with its flawless casting, even in the smallest roles. (20/01/2012)

Yeah, this is the kind of politically correct, high-minded Oscar safe bet where pretty much all the black characters can be compared to the greatest philosophers in history thanks to their human (popular) wisdom, but I can’t help it, I really liked it. In its 146 minutes, it has charm, is entertaining, and has good performances, direction and script. It was nice, but at the Oscars I will root for someone else. (02/12/2011)

Almost a full rating. The Help is a film with a very strong story and a premise that has played a significant and unsavoury role in the history of the United States, yet I think it could have been executed in a much stronger and more cinematically imaginative way than Taylor did. It has everything, from brilliant actors to Newman's harmonious music, and great sets, yet it’s somehow dull and for a good part of its 140 minutes it pretends to be a gripping human drama rather than actually being one. I felt a bit as if the director was thinking more about the members of the Academy than the ordinary audience and followed a fixed and very popular template in Hollywood. But on the other hand, it works beautifully, and in tandem with all the wonderful actresses, his efforts to move and impress with the serious premise are almost 100% effective, or at least I was perfectly at home with his narrative after the slower start, when the characters begin to emerge beautifully. Unfortunately, the expected climax was somewhat disappointing, and the rush of classical sentimentality and excessive naive moralising made me groan unhappily. But in spite of its flaws and weaker moments, this was another unforgettable film that can make even lumberjacks cry just by looking at the face of the main character...Too bad. 4.5* (20/12/2012)