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IMDbPro

The Help

  • 20112011
  • PGPG
  • 2h 26m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
454K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
696
10
Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
Jackson, Mississippi, 1962: aspiring writer Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Stone) returns home after college, where unexpected friendships with African-American maids Aibeleen Clark (Davis) and Minny Jackson (Spencer) result in a book that gives a previously unheard voice to a community's suffering.
Play trailer2:31
19 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama
An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and th... Read allAn aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
454K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
696
10
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Tate Taylor
    • Writers
      • Tate Taylor(screenplay)
      • Kathryn Stockett(novel)
    • Stars
      • Emma Stone
      • Viola Davis
      • Octavia Spencer
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Tate Taylor
    • Writers
      • Tate Taylor(screenplay)
      • Kathryn Stockett(novel)
    • Stars
      • Emma Stone
      • Viola Davis
      • Octavia Spencer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 641User reviews
    • 296Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
    Top rated movie #249
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 79 wins & 121 nominations total

    Videos19

    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:31
    Trailer #1
    “Shinelator”
    Clip 0:46
    “Shinelator”
    “Minny Comes to Work for Celia”
    Clip 0:41
    “Minny Comes to Work for Celia”
    "Skeeter Needs Aibileen’s Help”
    Clip 0:40
    "Skeeter Needs Aibileen’s Help”
    “Put Mama in a Chair”
    Clip 0:49
    “Put Mama in a Chair”
    “I Got a Job Today”
    Clip 0:50
    “I Got a Job Today”
    "A Social Awakening"
    Featurette 2:01
    "A Social Awakening"
    "Skeeter" Character Profile
    Featurette 1:01
    "Skeeter" Character Profile
    "Minnie" Character Profile
    Featurette 1:01
    "Minnie" Character Profile
    "Hilly" Character Profile
    Featurette 1:02
    "Hilly" Character Profile
    "Aibileen" Character Profile
    Featurette 1:02
    "Aibileen" Character Profile
    The Help
    Featurette 2:26
    The Help

    Photos131

    Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer in The Help (2011)
    Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
    Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
    Jessica Chastain in The Help (2011)
    Bryce Dallas Howard and Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
    Viola Davis, David Oyelowo, and Octavia Spencer in The Help (2011)
    Allison Janney, Emma Stone, and Roslyn Ruff in The Help (2011)
    Octavia Spencer in The Help (2011)
    Viola Davis and Emma Stone in The Help (2011)
    Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Emma Stone, Ahna O'Reilly, and Anna Camp in The Help (2011)
    Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain in The Help (2011)
    Allison Janney and Emma Stone in The Help (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Emma Stone
    Emma Stone
    • Skeeter Phelan
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Aibileen Clark
    Octavia Spencer
    Octavia Spencer
    • Minny Jackson
    Bryce Dallas Howard
    Bryce Dallas Howard
    • Hilly Holbrook
    Jessica Chastain
    Jessica Chastain
    • Celia Foote
    Ahna O'Reilly
    Ahna O'Reilly
    • Elizabeth Leefolt
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Charlotte Phelan
    Anna Camp
    Anna Camp
    • Jolene French
    Eleanor Henry
    • Mae Mobley
    Emma Henry
    • Mae Mobley
    Christopher Lowell
    Christopher Lowell
    • Stuart Whitworth
    • (as Chris Lowell)
    Cicely Tyson
    Cicely Tyson
    • Constantine Jefferson
    Mike Vogel
    Mike Vogel
    • Johnny Foote
    Sissy Spacek
    Sissy Spacek
    • Missus Walters
    Brian Kerwin
    Brian Kerwin
    • Robert Phelan
    Wes Chatham
    Wes Chatham
    • Carlton Phelan
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Aunjanue Ellis
    • Yule Mae Davis
    Ted Welch
    Ted Welch
    • William Holbrook
    • Director
      • Tate Taylor
    • Writers
      • Tate Taylor(screenplay)
      • Kathryn Stockett(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kathryn Stockett's book, on which this film is based, was rejected 60 times before it was eventually published.
    • Goofs
      When Hilly and Elizabeth are eating at the restaurant/coffee house, Elizabeth's earrings appear and disappear.
    • Quotes

      Minny Jackson: Eat my shit.

      Hilly Holbrook: What'd you say?

      Minny Jackson: I said eat... my... shit.

      Hilly Holbrook: Have you lost your mind?

      Minny Jackson: No, ma'am but you is about to. 'Cause you just did.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.196 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Jackson
      Written by Jerry Leiber and Billy Edd Wheeler

      Performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

      Courtesy of Columbia Nashville

      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews641

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Some really nice acting here....
    While "The Help" has received TONS of great press and a ton of SAG and other awards, I am also aware that there is some controversy concerning the film. Some people have felt that the film was a bit paternalistic--as it might be interpreted as yet another story of a rich, enlightened white lady going out to help all the downtrodden black folk. I am just not sure if I could see this or not--especially as the black women in the film end up showing LOTS of strength during the course of the film. BUT, I am also a white guy--and it's not fair for me to automatically brand the film one way or another. Just be aware that there are a few who resent the idea of this film.

    I could discuss the plot, but LOTS of other reviewers have discussed this. So instead, let's talk about what I liked and didn't like. I liked the acting. The problem, however, is that giving any of these actresses awards is tough as it's such an ensemble cast. I can truly understand why the Screen Actor's Guild chose to award ALL the cast a joint award. The direction was very nice and the movie was well filmed. The script was also very nice--and quite inspiring. My quibbles are VERY small---very, very small. I felt that a few characters were a bit one-dimensional (particularly the lead villainess). Also, the ending of the film seemed to drag out a bit and wrapping it up a bit sooner. It wasn't a bad ending--but tightening would have heightened the overall emotional impact.

    So my advice for you is to see this film. While I still think "Hugo" is the best nominated film this year, I can see the merit in "The Help" winning and "The Artist" sure seems to have a lot of momentum. So, do yourself a favor and see all three--all three are terrific.
    helpful•14
    6
    • planktonrules
    • Feb 4, 2012

    FAQ5

    • What is 'The Help' about?
    • Is 'The Help' based on a book?
    • Who is Medgar Evers?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 10, 2011 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • India
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La couleur des sentiments
    • Filming locations
      • Greenwood, Mississippi, USA
    • Production companies
      • DreamWorks
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Reliance Film & Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $169,708,112
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $26,044,590
      • Aug 14, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $216,639,112
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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