I was so excited when I was recently told I was being sent The Help in the Blu-ray DVD Combo pack. I really wanted to see this when it was in theaters but it is very hard for my husband and I to get to the movies with our little ones. I have heard so much great buzz about this movie I could not wait to watch it.
The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society‟s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy,humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.
The Help stars Emma Stone as the courageous Eugenia „Skeeter‟ Phelan, who goes against the beliefs of her family and friends to find her own voice. The critically praised, emotional performance of Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, a woman who secretly dreams of one day having more than she has been given, offers a deep emotional storyline. The breakthrough performance of Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, whose sass and tough exterior disguise the pain and fear she faces every day, brings both drama and humor to the film. Bryce Dallas Howard breathes life into the catty Jackson socialite Hilly Holbrook and Jessica Chastain brings charm and humor as Celia Foote, a kind housewife living outside of town who longs to fit in. Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney and Ahna O‟Reilly also provide vivacious performances that round out this all-star female ensemble.
My views: I really enjoyed this movie, it was very eye-opening for me since this movie take place in 1962 and I was not even born yet. Some things in the move were hard to even comprehend, like the maids were not allowed to use the bathrooms in the homes they worked in. Apparently, they were thought to carry some very dangerous diseases that one could catch from a toilet seat. This was preposterous for me on so many levels. First, if they were so vehemently opposed to the maids using their bathrooms because they were diseased but did not mind them cooking their food, caring for their children in every way, and doing just about every household task shows just how out of touch these bigoted women were. Eugenia was a breath of fresh air among these women, she was warm and loving and really wanted to tell their stories. Celia Foote was another woman who did not fit the mold of these southern socialites and the friendship she shared with Minny was heartwarming. Both women helped each other through some hard times. The movie is timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.
If you are looking for a great gift for someone on your holiday list, you really can’t go wrong with The Help in the Blu-ray DVD Combo pack. The exclusive features on the Blu-ray and DVD are great consisting of deleted scenes, Mary J. Blige’s Teh Living Proof music video, and much more. Mommy Ramblings likes this movie so much we are adding it to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.
