By Tina Grazier
I spent Friday afternoon watching one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time.
The Help, based on the best-selling book by Kathryn Stockett, features a cast of wonderful main characters played brilliantly by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone and featuring a broad supporting cast that includes award winning actresses Sissy Spacek and Cicely Tyson.
Set in Jackson Mississippi in the sixties the plot centers around a young woman, Skeeter Phelan, who dreams of becoming a writer and unexpectedly finds an opportunity to begin her quest in the secret stories of black women who work as domestics in the homes of her married friends. Driven in part by a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the black woman who raised her, she first gains the trust of Aibileen Clark, palyed by Davis, who eventually convinces a handful of others to join her in her quiet protest. The bravery of these women is subtly portrayed but the quiet of their resistance is soon crashed by the open defiance of Minny Jackson, played by Spencer. Her actions punctuate the bravery of these women in stellar fashion.
The Help was delightfully absent a political message. Instead the stories and personalities of the women took center stage to create an honest and open depiction of everyday life in a racially divided and prejudiced Southern town. We know about the horror of criminal acts visited upon innocent blacks families in the 1960’s. It’s time we learned the history of everyday life as well. This story is a shining example.
Both the movie and the book have sparked controversy among those who need to keep racial divisions and racial activism alive. It’s a shame because both the story and the amazing performances of the actors deserve to be appreciated for the raw honesty they portray. Both black and white characters were accurately depicted as human beings capable of deep emotion, horrible prejudice, incredible faith, pure joy, terrible grief, and surprising acts of tolerance and kindness.
See video and information about the movie here.
Ah yes. A movie about the good old days. When the Sisters knew their place, before they got all uppity and tried to tell us what to eat and before they started flying around in fancy airplanes to all them exotic locations, eating barbecue and all that.
I’m not surprised you would find it enjoyable.
What did I say earlier about this cartoon fool who thinks in stereotypes and cliche’s?
I always have time for excellent story telling that focuses on people and true courage. The acting is top notch. I would say shame on Quentin, but he has no shame.
Quentin, the reviews I’ve read so far have been mixed, but from what I have heard it does not at all glorify the treatment of African-Americans during the so-called “good old days;” instead, many critics have said that it criticizes the institutionalized racism of that time. I would have to see it for myself to be sure. Have you seen it yet?
Quentin you can really be disgusting. Tina writes a nice movie review, non politically, about a movie without political messaging or lecturing, and you have to try and twist into something nasty and racial. Someone with an ounce of humanity could have just watched the movie and agreed or disagreed. You could even have just passed this up and commented on one of the political threads here. Instead you take the low road.
Typical. Democrat. Hack.
Pie if you haven’t seen the film or read the book you have no idea how right on the money your remarks are.
It isn’t just that he thinks in stereotypes and cliches, it’s that he seems helpless to escape that thinking. There is one scene in paticular I have in mind…but I don’t want to spoil it for those who have not had the pleasure.
I suppose we owe Q a debt of gratitude as he demonstrates so predictably how conservatives, and now the Tea Party, have been erroneously portrayed and depicted.
One has to assume that his own thoughts are slavishly married to said stereotypes…and thus, leftist expressions and posturings (born of guilt?) are further explained.
Just got home from seeing the best movie I can remember. The story line captured the heart and sole of these women from both sides of the social and racial setting of that time. The love given and the injustice righted will make you want to cheer and applaud as most of us did at the end.
Any movie that can make me laugh so hard I cry and bring tears to my eyes from the most touching and sad moments is worth recommending to everyone. I’ll even go see it again and will bet it will be up for at least three Academy awards.
Re Steve’s: Quentin you can really be disgusting.
Steve, this is just Quentin’s way of attracting attention. He has been an obnoxious, attention craving little boy all his life.
His own sad blog gets next to nothing for traffic so he uses Post Scripts to vent his spleen, to try and get street cred amongst the many followers he fantasizes that he has, and to try and draw attention to his own crappy little blog.
It isn’t very good entertainment but it is all Quentin has to offer.
Pie you’re right and I shouldn’t let it bother me. Aside from Jack, Tina has been on this blog the longest, fighting the good fight and saying what has needed to be said so well, so sometimes I like to just let her know we’ve got her back. Keep up the good movie reviews Tina.
Peggy I agree, several academy award nominations will be forthcoming…this is a wonderful movie. A number of critics agree…aren’t we smart, lol?
Steve, thank you! This old broad is greatly blessed to have you (and several other fine gentlemen on PS) at my back!
Q. is a narcissist who constantly needs to get his ego fix just like a junkie needs his next fix. If we would ALL just ignore him and stop responding to his comments hell give up and find another blog to spam to get his fix from.
Very sad, but very true. His comments are not to add to the topic, but are instead attacks on others so he can inflate his own self-worth.
Steve,
There are many who love both Jack and Tina. I hope they both know that.
Peggy,
Would that be double digit inflation? Ego stagflation?
Tina,
I gave up on the Academy decades ago. It has been completely politicized and is little more than awards to the unworthy, the trite, and the untalented. Kinda like the Nobel Peace Prize. A sad joke at best.
Not to worry Peggy. Quentin shines mostly as a useful tool. I continue to harbor the belief that he has real value to share. Now and then he contributes greatly, as he did when he introduced the term “corporatism” to the blog which allowed a distinction between people who run corporations lawfully and productively and persons who run their corporation and collude with government for advantage and/or agenda.
I wish he would drop the attitude (or get some help) and offer more that is educational…I can dream can’t I?
Next time he gives you a bad time you just hand him a stinky pie 😉
Pie I gave up on the academy years ago too but every now and then they get something right…can’t help themselves. I totally agreed, for instance, when Frances McDormand won as best actress for her work In Fargo against Merill Streep and Emily Watson.
Besides we have a group of right wingers taking hold in tinseltown…who knows maybe in another twenty years….;)
Re Tina’s: I totally agreed, for instance, when Frances McDormand won as best actress for her work In Fargo …
Oh yeah, that was deserved. McDormand is a brilliant actor. Gawd I love her, dontchaknow? I have long been a fan of Coen brothers films. She was outstanding in “Blood Simple”. Casting McDormand in the role of Marge Gunderson was perfect.
Tina and Pie, you guys are fans of the Coen brothers? I may have to re-evaluate my opinions of both of you. 😉
Have you seen “True Grit” yet? I watched it yesterday and loved it. I have never been much of a Western fan, but I remember seeing the original when I was a kid and loving that too.
Re Bloodlust Chris’: “Tina and Pie, you guys are fans of the Coen brothers? I may have to re-evaluate my opinions of both of you. ;)”
Of course I cannot speak for Tina, but I could not care less what you think of me, oh great and silly mouthpiece of God.
Chris…yes I must confess I’m a fan of the Coen Bros. I did see the new version of True Grit and really enjoyed it. Remakes aren’t always good but this one was excellent. I too loved the John Wayne original.
Jesus H., Pie. I tried to put aside our previous differences for one little comment, but you seem to have such a personal vendetta against me that you can’t allow that. You don’t have to be such an asshole all the time.
Re Bloodlust Chris’: I may have to re-evaluate my opinions of both of you.”
and
“you seem to have such a personal vendetta against me”.
Sorry Bloodlust, you just taint that important to me.
If you don’t get just how authoritarian, arrogant, and tedious you are 24/7 try reading, with a fresh mind, your latest statement “I may have to re-evaluate my opinions of both of you”. Ask yourself this, Bloodlust — Should I, Pie Guevara, declare that I should re-evaluate my opinion of you? What the heck do you care what my opinion of you is?
Think about it Bloodlust.
I haven’t seen the Coen brother version of “True Grit” but Jeff Bridges is a skilled actor and at an age where he could make that role his own.
I first met Jeff on the set of Tron. He was an interesting and personable fellow.
I never met Jeff, but I used to say hi whenever I ran into Lloyd. He was a nice guy from what I could tell. He was always very personable to his fans, unlike some other big names who treated them far less respectfully. As for True Grit, I would say Jeff reinvented the character and made it his own. He couldn’t have been more grittier!
*sigh* Whatever, Pie. I’m not interested in these petty games, and I’m sure Jack and Tina don’t appreciate us using their blog for a lame pissing contest.
Dear Bloodlust Chris,
We all have our blind spots. Evidently yours is a bit larger than most. No, I am not in a urination contest with you. But, evidently, you are with me.
So it goes.
I asked you to think about how wonderfully arrogant your “re-evaluation” statement was. It is typical of your behavior towards people with whom you disagree and wish to personally attack. That is all. Being backhanded about it is lame, but that is you all over Chris. Lame, backhanded, frivolous.
Evidently I do not measure up to your high standards even if I do happen to enjoy Coen brothers films.
No, I am not an ***hole Bloodlust. I simply hold up a mirror in which you refuse to look.
Pie: “I asked you to think about how wonderfully arrogant your “re-evaluation” statement was. It is typical of your behavior towards people with whom you disagree and wish to personally attack.”
It was a harmless joke, Pie, not a personal attack.
Hmmm, I guess Chris still does not get. Well, I tried.
Of course, I did not take that one statement as a personal attack but as an extension of your urination attitude towards me and other frequenters of Post Scripts.
OK, let me try this last bit and then just let ol’ Bloodlust go on his way.
Was it a self deprecating joke or just you with your usual condescending, holier-than-thou strut?
OK Pie and Jack I’ll bite…when, or how, did you meet/know Jeff and Lloyd? I always find such stories interesting. I remember Lloyd Bridges in that underwater series on television when I was a kid….what was it called…Sea Hunt!
You’re right Jack…Jeff Bridges reinvented the character…the entire cast was terrific.
It was mostly meant to be self-deprecating, Pie. I apologize if that didn’t come across. Now can we drop the dumb nickname?
I’m also curious as to how you and Jack have met the Coen brothers.
Tina, I once lived in a community where Lloyd came year after year during the hunting season. Being a small town we just saw each other once in awhile, that’s all. The last time we were in line together at the bank and we spoke. My Dad knew him, his people serviced Lloyd’s cars while in the area and he took care of a two other celebrities vehicles too.
Over the years I had a chance to work as an extra and as security for movies and I’ve met a few names you might recognize, Clint Eastwood, Richard Boone, Olivia DeHavilan, Richard Burton, Liz, Cameron Mitchell, Goldie Hawn, Claude Akins, OJ, Lola Falona, Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin and a few others. I observed their conduct more out of curiosity and I have to admit I was surprised to see that most were really nice, down to earth types. OJ was one of the nicer celebs and went out of his way to meet me. Lee Marvin…what a crank.