The Help is a film that could have gone south really fast (ironic given that the film takes place in the south). Its an earnest movie that pulls at the heartstrings nearly every second but the spectacular cast bring sincerity, warmth, and honesty to nearly every frame and ultimately, that's why the film is so gosh darn memorable. The Help takes place in 1960's Mississippi--a turbulent era for civil rights-- and features the adorable Emma Stone as Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan-an aspiring writer who comes up with a concept she hopes will get her job with a big city newspaper. The concept; write a piece from the point of view of The Help. Not an easy task as most of the African American workers in the area are reluctant to speak to Skeeter for fear that they'll lose their jobs. Of course, a few do come forth (led by Viola Davis' Aibileen Clark and Octavia Spencer's Minny Jackson) and eventually, Skeeter's project touches a nerve that sends shockwaves throughout the state. The Help is a glorious ensemble and the greatest compliment I can pay it is to say that every character is played by a performer who feels like they were born to play their role. Stoic Viola Davis, tenacious Octavia Spencer, spunky Emma Stone, spiteful Bryce Dallas Howard, bubbly Jessica Chastain, etc. The entire cast excels not only individually, but with one another. Be it's the wonderful friendship between Aibileen and Minny or the unlikely bond that develops between Jessica Chastain's clueless Celia Foote and a tenacious Minny (its interesting how these polar opposites teach one another a couple of valuable lessons). Even Bryce Dallas Howard's spoiled, cruel hearted Hilly Holbrook feels like a fully textured character (she wasn't born to hate--she was taught) and while we're on the topic of Hilly, I thought it was a rather bold choice to do what the film-makers do with her character at the end of the film. This cast really is a marvel to behold. Credit director Tate Taylor for creating an environment in which this extraordinary cast is able to work their magic. The Help touches on themes we've seen explored in the likes of The Color Purple but it does so with a feather light touch. A terrific blend of serious social issues and sweet natured humor. There are a couple of things that don't quite gel. Skeeter's relationship with an oil rig worker is short lived and it almost feels completely unnecessary, and a sequence at a church in the final act feels like a bit much. Also, as was the case with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, there are a couple of characters who come across as a little too mean, but then I suppose that was completely indicative of the times. In the end, all you can really hope for from a movie like The Help is to be moved and moved I waswith just a bit of help.

Grade: B+