Film Review: The Help

The Help directed by Tate Taylor (Dreamworks SKG, Reliance Entertainment, Participant Media, PG-13, 146 minutes)

Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain

Jackson, Mississippi 

I visited Jackson, Mississippi last year during my spring break. I took a group of students to a small, entirely African-American suburb nearby to sing in churches, schools, and community events.

We stayed in a town that was literally divided by train tracks, and if you were on one side of the tracks, you were living on the African-American side of town. I was blown away by the rampant racial inequality still not only surviving but surging, in this community outside of Jackson. I even had breakfast a few mornings at a place where biscuits, grits, and gravy were standard, and mistakenly made the social faux pas of sitting on the “black side” of the establishment, which both shocked and saddened me.

This experience rather reminded me of The Help.

A Book about Racism

Adapted from the book of the same title by Kathryn Stockett, the story is about African American maids working in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. Skeeter (Emma Stone), one of the main characters, decides to write a controversial book about racism in the perspective of the maids who work for white families.

Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) are the two black maids who decide to help Skeeter out with her project. They, understandingly, are reluctant to help at first, as they fear they will lose their jobs should they share the uncomfortable situations they’ve encountered. Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), meanwhile, is petitioning for her “Home Help Sanitation Initiative” which proposes separate bathrooms for the help, as black folks carry “diseases” because of their skin pigment.

The Capitol in Jackson, MS

Continuing to write the story, Skeeter tries to publish the book quickly, as her publicist believes that the Civil Rights Movement will be a passing fad. So, she publishes it quickly, but only after Minny tells her the story of the “terrible awful” in which she bakes her former employer, Hilly Holbrook, a special pie, with some special ingredients.

Minny, meanwhile sought employment elsewhere, where Celia Foot (Jessica Chastain) desperately needs a housekeeper. Celia treats her well, and in a tear-inducing scene, actually treats “the help” to a dinner saying “you will always have a job with me”.

The film, and undoubtedly the novel (I haven’t read it, so I’m not sure), portrays something of southern Mississippian society that is still sadly partially present today. There is a racial inequality present, but one individual who chooses to speak up can actually change it all. Though things in Mississippi may not be anywhere close to perfect, there have been huge changes in the culture overall since the Civil Rights movement, and someone like Emma Stone could change it even more if they were to arise and be bold.

The movie portrays a great deal of hope, and deserves the Oscar nods it received: two for best supporting actress—for Olivia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain; one for best actress—for Viola Davis; and one for best picture. I think if you’re in the mood for a good convicting drama, you should check out The Help.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

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Posted by: Andrew Jacobson

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Film Review: The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life directed by Terrence Malick (Cottonwood Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, and River Road Entertainment, PG-13, 139 minutes)

Starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Jessica Chastain.

Why Me?

Do you remember the last time you cried uncontrollably? In those moments when tears threaten to disrupt breathing patterns and life seems to change course, did you ask, “Why me?” Though circumstances differ from person to person, we all encounter these life altering and painful-to-the-bone scenarios. With Terrence Malick’s Palme d’Or-winning opus, The Tree of Life, such existential crises are exquisitely depicted on film.

Job

As the movie commences, Job 38:4 flashes over a blank screen. In this biblical passage, God declares, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” For those unfamiliar with this ancient Hebraic story, Job – a Godly man – encounters immense suffering as he loses his family and economic clout. Despite hollow encouragement from friends, Job questions his suffering.

In a slightly dismissive manner, God responds to Job’s inquisition in the previously mentioned passage. And with this background acting as the sole hint behind its nonlinear narrative, The Tree of Life unfolds.

Universal and Particular

Ambitiously attempting to portray the entire history of the universe alongside an account of one family in small-town America, Malick simultaneously presents both a universal and a microscopic point of reference. With scenes depicting the creation of the universe, Malick makes visible the actions of God laying the foundation of the earth (extra kudos for a leviathan reference too). Likewise, The Tree of Life is imminently particular as Jack (played by Sean Penn in adulthood) reminisces about childhood and questions why the death of a family member was necessary.

As Jack remembers his childhood, his parents – Mrs. O’Brien (Jessica Chastain) and Mr. O’Brien (Brad Pitt) – illustrate the conflicting realities of grace and human nature as they attempt to teach, nurture, and develop their children. With a loving but heavy hand, Mr. O’Brien demands respect of his children. With quiet expectation, Mrs. O’Brien urges her children to blossom.

Encountering Evil

During perhaps the most moving section of the movie, Jack and his siblings evolve from the innocent purity of early childhood to the mischievous curiosity of childhood. Jack develops a goading sense of authority. In one scene, he challenges his brother to lick his finger and put it in a lamp socket. Without a resulting shock, the younger brother declares, “I trust you.” Moments later, Jack takes advantage of this trust by convincing his brother to put his finger over the barrel of a BB gun.  In the instant after Jack pulls the trigger, his brother’s look of shock, sadness, betrayal, and pain pours over the screen. Such actions leave the viewer enraged but also implicitly involved in this treachery. At the end of the scene, it feels like humanity is incapable of acting in a noble and just manner.

A Film of Contrast

This film, told in a stream of consciousness narrative, juxtaposes conflicting ideals. Through universality and particularity, nature versus grace, and innocent beauty next to tainted imperfection, The Tree of Life brilliantly depicts the ancient themes of Job where God seemingly permits purity, love, and uprightness to exist side by side with the reality of evil

The Tree of Life is not for everyone. It’s unclear narrative format and artistic focus requires attentive viewing and an acceptance of ambiguity. Let’s be honest; it’s an art film. However, The Tree of Life is exponentially more accessible than many films that frequent the film festival circuit. Additionally, my review has only scratched the surface of this movie. If you are interested in deeper takes, please direct your browsers to these fantastic reviews at Biblioklept and ThinkChristian. In short, I highly recommend The Tree of Life.