Film Review – The Help

Film Review – The Help

The opening sequence of ‘The Help’ follows the structure of ‘Titles over a blank screen followed by a narrative opening’.  The Production & Distribution Company logos are advertised  then followed by a blank black background and then the Production & Distribution Company appear again in capitals; the colouring of the text is white – I think this is effective and necessary because white in easily seen on a dark background, also it matches the racial theme of the film (White Vs. Black). No other titles appear, other than the film title which is hand written as the narrative opening unravels.

The genre of the film is Drama, and is based on a best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett. ‘The Help’ is set in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s and about a young woman called Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan just graduated from Ole Miss and is intent on getting a job as a writer, after searching for some times she finds a job as a writer for the local newspaper. She then notices the racial inequality and opts for change by secretly writing a book from the coloured maid’s perspective.

The Help is a well composed film, which incorporates the appropriate language and scenes for the target audience which is 12A. The costumes and locations enables the audience to realise where the story is set.

Overall, I enjoyed the film as it was emotionally moving and lightly humorous; with the themes it focuses on and how it is portrayed. Also because racism is such a heartfelt thing, I felt emotionally attached to the characters in the film as they were overcoming changes.