Books2Movies Club discussion

The Help is a 2011 American drama film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett, adapted for the screen and directed by Tate Taylor, Stockett’s childhood friend.

The #1 New York Times best seller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. Led by Emma Stone, Academy Award®-nominated Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress, Doubt, 2008), Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard, 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.
(source: The Help: Movie Official Site)
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This is the thread for the film and whatever thoughts you may have about it – opinions about the direction, photography, design, story and characters, reminiscences about the past and similar events, films and stories. Feel free to compare it with the novel – however the novel itself please discuss in the book thread for the sake of those film viewers who haven’t read it yet.

I had read the book. I loved the movie! Sissy Spacik as Hilly's mother was hoot. The end of the movie made me cry. I also loved the scene with the fried chicken.

I enjoyed the book, but I loved the movie. I thought Sissy Spacek as Hilly's mother was a hoot. I felt sorry for Celia. I also liked the scene with the fried chicken. The ending of the movie made me cry.

The book was better of course, but I think the movie was very well done. It had a lighter, more fun feeling than the book, but had seriousness in all the right places. They left a lot of Celia's struggles out, or at least I felt it wasn't conveyed as strongly, but it was still heart wrenching to see all those little graves. I wouldn't mind watching it again soon, actually. Just thinking about the movie makes me smile. :)

Alana wrote: "The book was better of course, but I think the movie was very well done. It had a lighter, more fun feeling than the book, but had seriousness in all the right places. They left a lot of Celia's st..."

Thanks for your comments. I am trying to decide if I want to see the movie or not. I'm glad it's a little more on the lighter side. Carol

I'm surprised there was so little discussion about this. I remember when the movie came out a group of black academic women raised a big dust-up about it: they hated that it was from a white woman's POV and that black women when they're finally being portrayed in depth get to be the same old same old: Maids! I read a lot about the controversy at the time. I loved the movie as well as the book; liked the book better. I was not yet on Goodreads at the time this was read/seen.

Just finished the book yesterday and very much enjoyed it. I have been told that the movie is more...mediocre, however.

I enjoyed the movie, it's just a bit more lighthearted and lacks some of the depth (typical book to film loss of character development)