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The Help

  • 20112011
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 26m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
450K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
742
105
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
450K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
742
105
  • 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
    • 639User reviews
    • 295Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #247
    • 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 Phelanas Skeeter Phelan
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Aibileen Clarkas Aibileen Clark
    Octavia Spencer
    Octavia Spencer
    • Minny Jacksonas Minny Jackson
    Bryce Dallas Howard
    Bryce Dallas Howard
    • Hilly Holbrookas Hilly Holbrook
    Jessica Chastain
    Jessica Chastain
    • Celia Footeas Celia Foote
    Ahna O'Reilly
    Ahna O'Reilly
    • Elizabeth Leefoltas Elizabeth Leefolt
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Charlotte Phelanas Charlotte Phelan
    Anna Camp
    Anna Camp
    • Jolene Frenchas Jolene French
    Eleanor Henry
    • Mae Mobleyas Mae Mobley
    Emma Henry
    • Mae Mobleyas Mae Mobley
    Christopher Lowell
    Christopher Lowell
    • Stuart Whitworthas Stuart Whitworth
    • (as Chris Lowell)
    Cicely Tyson
    Cicely Tyson
    • Constantine Jeffersonas Constantine Jefferson
    Mike Vogel
    Mike Vogel
    • Johnny Footeas Johnny Foote
    Sissy Spacek
    Sissy Spacek
    • Missus Waltersas Missus Walters
    Brian Kerwin
    Brian Kerwin
    • Robert Phelanas Robert Phelan
    Wes Chatham
    Wes Chatham
    • Carlton Phelanas Carlton Phelan
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Aunjanue Ellis
    • Yule Mae Davisas Yule Mae Davis
    Ted Welch
    Ted Welch
    • William Holbrookas William Holbrook
    • Director
      • Tate Taylor
    • Writers
      • Tate Taylor(screenplay)
      • Kathryn Stockett(novel)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives -- and a Mississippi town -- upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up -- to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter's life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories -- and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly -- and unwillingly -- caught up in the changing times. —Walt Disney Pictures
    • chocolate pie
    • writer
    • first job
    • writing a novel
    • newspaper columnist
    • 105 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Change begins with a whisper.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic material
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews639

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Delightfully-different!
    I just got back from a special-screening of "The Help" at my local movie theatre, so I thought that I might as well do a review for all of you who are wanting to see this movie when it comes out.

    Now, first off, I must admit that I have only read a portion of the book, but I definitely do know a lot about it. After watching the trailer, I was intrigued, so of course, I visited the IMDb boards to learn more about it. At first glance, the casting caught my attention big-time. Emma Stone as 'Skeeter'? I bet most people were as shocked as I was to find out that she was cast as the main character -- but let me tell you what: the casting was superb! I could not have chosen a better cast than what was already chosen. There was amazing chemistry between both the antagonists and protagonists. I won't go into too much depth about the characters, but for me, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Sissy Spacek, and Octavia Spencer were the shining stars of the movie.

    Casting: 9.5/10 I know that there has been an on-going issue about this movie from a lot of people claiming that "the blacks had to be 'saved' by the whites" (pardon the language), or something along those lines. I have to agree that the trailer does give off that type of vibe -- Skeeter saving the colored-folks -- however, the movie tells and depicts otherwise - the colored-folks actually saved themselves. Minny and Aibileen, as well as the other colored-folks in the community, were the real "heroes" of the movie; they just needed someone to push them to their potential (Skeeter).

    I can not remember the last time I saw a movie that inspired me, made me cry, made me laugh, and made me sad, angry, and hopeful, all at the same time -- this is what "The Help" strides and aims for, without making it "cheesy". Without a doubt in my mind, there are definitely Oscar-worthy performances in this movie. Not only does this movie depict just the colored-folks' side of the story, but it also equally shows the feelings of the white-folks, as well. So, you definitely get both sides of the story without it being more or less "mean" or "degrading" to any sides.

    There are definitely a few awkward moments in the movie, but what movie doesn't have them? This movie started around 7:10 and ended around 9:20 -- about 2 hours and 10 minutes, give or take, if my calculations are correct. However, this movie only felt like it was an hour-long. It was so good that I didn't even know the two hours passed by until the theatre lights lid and the rolling credits began.

    All in all, this is a DEFINITELY-MUST-SEE movie. I personally believe that it is one of the best movies of 2011. Go see it -- you will not regret it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

    Movie rating: 9/10
    helpful•263
    70
    • ashleyyh
    • Jul 7, 2011

    FAQ5

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 10, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Historias cruzadas
    • 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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