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The film The Help, released in 2011, is an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel from 2009. The movie was a commercial and critical success, garnering over $200 million worldwide and earning Octavia Spencer an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Featuring an ensemble cast, it tells the story of three women in 1960s Mississippi. The Help portrays Skeeter’s journey to write a book that exposes the challenges faced by black maids, providing a powerful perspective on racism and resilience.
Regarding the authenticity of the story, The Help is a work of fiction, not directly based on true events or a real writer from the 1960s. However, the character of Aibileen Clark in the novel and movie bears striking similarities to Abilene Cooper, a black maid who worked for Stockett’s brother and once cared for her niece.
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Cooper sued Stockett for unauthorized appropriation of her name and image, citing parallels between her life and Aibileen’s, including the tragic loss of a son. Despite these claims, the lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, as Cooper had the book for over a year before filing the suit.
Thus, while there is no legal confirmation that Aibileen’s story is based on Cooper’s life, the resemblance is notable.
What is the plot of The Help?
The film is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s. It follows the lives of three main characters. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, Aibileen Clark, and Minny Jackson. Skeeter is a young white woman returning from college, aspiring to be a writer. Aibileen is a black maid who cares for children and cleans while Minny is another black maid facing similar challenges.
Skeeter decides to become a legitimate journalist and writer who wants to tell the stories of black maids working for white families. Her goal is to expose the racism they face daily. Skeeter interviews Aibileen and Minny, capturing their experiences. She writes a book from their point of view, revealing the hardships they endure.
The book aims to shed light on the discrimination faced by black domestic workers. The film takes place during the Civil Rights Movement and highlights the racial tensions and inequalities of the era.
Who is in the cast of The Help?
The main cast of The Help includes Emma Stone as Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly Holbrook, Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, Jessica Chastain as Celia Foote, Allison Janney as Charlotte Phelan and Ahna O’Reilly as Elizabeth Leefolt.
The movie also includes Cicely Tyson as Constantine Jefferson, Mike Vogel as Johnny Foote, Sissy Spacek as Missus Walters, Brian Kerwin as Robert Phelan, Wes Chatham as Carlton Phelan, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Yule Mae Davis.
Ted Welch appears as William Holbrook, Shane McRae appears as Raleigh Leefolt, Roslyn Ruff appears as Pascagoula, Tarra Riggs appears as Gretchen, Leslie Jordan appears as Mr. Blackly, Mary Steenburgen appears as Elain Stein and Tiffany Brouwer appears as Rebecca.
Carol Lee, Carol Sutton, Millicent Bolton, and Ashley Johnson also join the cast as Pearly, Cora, Callie, and Mary Beth Caldwell.
The Help is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
