The Help - Official Trailer [HD]

CAST

Emma stone as Skeeter Phelan

Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark

Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson

Aibileen's character profile

"The Help"

The Help

Director: Tate Taylor

Writers: Tate Taylor

Novel: Kathryne Stockett (Author)

Storyline

Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends' lives and a Mississippi town upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Viola Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter's life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly and unwillingly caught up in the changing times.

Comment.

Hello and welcome, I'm Muhammad Amin Bin kamsin from BM1115A class and this is my Malaysian Eco assignment that was given to me by my lecturer Miss Azniza. The movie that i choose to evaluate is base on the movie THE HELP(2011). "The help" was the best movie that i've ever seen and i think this movie is suitable for me because it covers all aspect of social, economic and politic.

SOCIAL

In social view , we can see that black people is having a huge problem regarding to racism from the white people in their town, Mississippi. Skeeter is disturbed to learn that Constantine (Cicely Tyson), the maid who had raised her from a child, apparently quit while Skeeter was away at college. Disturbed at the sudden loss and at how Elizabeth and local socialite Hillie Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard) treat their own maids with racist condescension. Black people were treated unfairly by the white people. For example black people have no freedom at all, as you can see from the movie the black maids cant even go to the same toilet that is use by their 'white' employee's, in the town they cant even go to the same movie as the white people. For me this is very sad to see, because for me no human being should be treated that way, every human being should have the same right as the others, no matter what, skin colour does not make any difference, because they are all human too. I am also amazed by the fact that Skeeter has the guts to write a book, to help the black people tell their stories and get their rights, although it was very risky for skeeter, but in the movie she show courage!

ECONOMY

Set in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, the economic structure is one-sided and most of the middle class income and upper class income were mostly white people and most of the lower class income were black people. This is because they cant even find a proper job and high education due to the economic structure, as they usually work as a house slave or a house keeper. For example Abileen works for Hilly and raised many of white babies while her own baby was at home being watched by someone else. Besides that, economic structure in this era is unstable because of the minimum number of job opportunity that offered. For the black people, they tend to live in poor community whereas white people live in town area.

Aibileen raised Hilly's daughter and her famous quotes "you is kind, you is smart, you is important"

POLITIC

In Civil Rights-era Jackson, black people suffered a lot of problem due to the politic structure that is unstable in this era. As u can see in one scene there was a law book on the rights of the black people. In the law book most of the laws in Mississippi, was mostly one-sided to the white people. This resulted in the formation of human rights activist that is lead by Martin Luther King. He played an important role in Skeeter's determination to write the book. From here we can see that the government also treated them with the same way as the white people. For example when Hilly reported that her ring lost in her house and police aimed that her new house keeper stole the ring, then all the house keeper that in the bus inspected and body check by the policeman. During the inspection period, only the black people was inspected by the policeman and white people were just stayed in the bus.

SUMMARY

In Civil Rights-era Jackson, MS, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Emma Stone) returns home after graduation from Ole Miss and takes a job at the local newspaper. She is assigned to write a column on housecleaning and, because she is a single woman, decides to ask Aibeleen (Viola Davis), the maid of her neighbor and friend, Elizabeth Leefolt (Ahna O'Reilly), for assistance. Aibeleen is the de facto mother in the life of Elizabeth's daughter, Mae, as Elizabeth is frigid and non-maternal.

Hillie's maid, Minny (Octavia Spencer), deliberately disobeys Hillie's order not to use the family's bathroom despite the fact that a violent thunderstorm rages outside, making a trip to the outhouse dangerous. Hillie fires her over the objections of her own mother (Sissy Spacek). In retaliation, Minnie bakes a "chocolate" pie and takes it to Hillie in a fake act of contrition; rather than chocolate, she has baked her own feces into the pie. Hillie eats two slices before Milly reveals the truth. Later that night, Milly's commonlaw husband, Leroy, beats her while Aibeleen listens on the phone. At church the next day, Aibeleen hears the minister deliver a sermon about courage and resolves to help Skeeter with her book.

Minny goes to work for Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain), the wife of Hillie's former boyfriend. Celia has been ostracized by the local women's club, led by Hillie, and is generally ill at ease with the social rules in Jackson. Over Minny's objections, Celia insists on eating with her in the kitchen. Celia insists on paying Minny under the table because she doesn't want her husband to know that she doesn't have domestic skills. Although she is generally suspicious of white people, Minny finds herself becoming more comfortable around Celia, particularly after Celia miscarries.

Aibeleen recruits Minny into the book project, but Skeeter's editor in New York (Mary Steenburgen) insists the book will need more voices -- including that of Constantine. After witnessing Hillie having her new maid arrested for petty theft, the other maids in the community also provide information for the book. Even though they have changed the names of everyone involved, Skeeter remains concerned that people will recognize who the maids are and create more trouble for the African American community in the wake of the murder of Medgar Evars. Minny insists that they include the story about Hillie and the chocolate pie as insurance; Hillie will not want anyone to know the truth and will pressure her friends to disbelieve the entire book. After learning the truth about Constantine Skeeter's mother (Alison Janney) fired her due to social pressure after Constantine became too old to serve guests properly at an important luncheon -- Skeeter sends the book off to the publisher.

The book is published anonymously but soon everyone in Jackson is reading it. Skeeter splits the advance she received evenly among all of the maids, and is offered a job at the publisher. She is disinclined to take it, but Aibeleen and Milly insist that she must. Celia works hard to prepare a lavish meal for Milly in gratitude for all she has done. Celia's husband, who has known all along that Milly was working for Celia, tells Milly she will have a job with them for as long as she wants it. Inspired, Milly leaves Leroy, taking their children with her. Hillie browbeats Elizabeth into firing Aibeleen. As she walks away from the Leefolt home, Aibeleen resolves to be a writer.

Set in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, Eugenia Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) is writing The Help on the top of a paper. She asks a black woman named Aibeleen (Viola Davis) about her birthplace, and how many white babies shes raised. Skeeter asks what its like to raise a white baby while her own baby was at home being watched by someone else. At this point we begin a flashback in Aibeleen's head.

Aibeleen (in a voice-over) begins to describe her employers-the Leefolts. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Mae Mobley. The shallow and non-maternal Elizabeth Leefolt does not know how to love her daughter so Aibeleen is the one who basically raises her. Every day Aibeleen tells her: You is kind. You is smart. You is important. Aibeleen gets Mae Mobley to go on the toilet. Elizabeth yanks Mae Mobley off without noticing, because she has a bridge club coming to her house. Aibeleen looks sad for Mae Mobley.

We cut to Hilly Holbrook, (Bryce Dallas Howard) her mother, and her black maid Minny (Octavia Spencer) leaving their house to go to bridge club. Minny is holding a chocolate pie.

We then cut to Skeeter, entering the office of the Jackson Journal for a job interview. She shows a reference from Elaine Stein, which her interviewer points out is a rejection letter. Skeeter points out that Elaine Stein said that Skeeter has promise and will eventually hire her (Elaine Stein works for Harper and Row in New York). Skeeter is hired by the Jackson Journal to write the Miss Myrna housekeeping column.

Skeeter drives into bridge club and hugs her friends Hilly and Elizabeth. They welcome her back she has just graduated from the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss"). Aibeleen fields a call from a Miss Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain) who wants to help with the benefit. Hilly and Elizabeth laugh at her, she is obviously very tacky. Celia asks Aibeleen if she knows any black maid who could help her out. Aibeleen says no. The girls play bridge and Hilly looks uncomfortable. Elizabeth tells her she can go to the bathroom. Hilly refuses to use a toilet that Aibeleen may have sat on. Hilly talks about the bill she is proposing: The Home Health Sanitation Initiative. This is a bill that would require white homes to have an outside toilet for the Negro help. This entire conversation is within earshot of Aibeleen. Skeeter asks Elizabeth if Aibeleen could help her with the Miss Myrna columns. Elizabeth says as long as it doesnt interfere with Aibeleen's chores. Skeeter asks Aibeleen for help with the column. Aibeleen asks her why Skeeter can't ask her own maid, Constantine for help. Skeeter looks said as she tells Aibeleen that Constantine quit on them. She then asks Aibeleen if Aibeleen wishes she could change things. Aibeleen looks away.

Skeeter goes home and sees her mother (Alison Janey) trying on a dress. She gets Skeeter to try it on and bugs her about still being single. Skeeter mentions the job she got. Her mother says shell never get married. Her mother asks her if shes had any unnatural thoughts about women and liking women. Skeeter is horrified

Skeeter is at dinner that night and she makes a rude remark about liking girls. Her mother excuses herself from the table because Skeeter has upset her cancerous ulcer. Skeeter runs to a small bench they have out front and remembers when Constantine comforted her for not getting asked to the dance. Skeeter desperately misses Constantine and does not know where she went.

We see Skeeter asking Aibeleen Miss Myrna questions as the sky darkens. We see Elizabeth and her husband arguing over the fact that Elizabeth has spent a lot of money building a Negro bathroom on Hilly's advice. Elizabeth asks that Skeeter no longer talk to Aibeleen. Skeeter sees the way the Leefolts are treating Aibeleen. She misses Constantine. And in that she has an idea.

Skeeter calls Elaine Stein and tells her that she wants to write a book about the help. Elaine Stein argues that no maid will agree to be interviewed. Skeeter lies and says she already has a maid lined up. Elaine Stein says she will look at whatever Skeeter writes.

At Hilly's house it is storming like crazy. The power has gone out. Minny looks uncomfortable and Hillys mother says she can use the inside bathroom. Hilly says most certainly not. Minny excuses herself to go make tea. She uses the bathroom and Hilly fires her. Hilly sends her out into the rain. Aibeleen narrates that 18 people lost their lives in the tornado that Hilly sent Minny into. 8 were black and 10 were white. When God sends a tornado he is colorblind.

Skeeter meets Aibeleen at the bus stop. She asks Aibeleen if she would contribute to her book. Aibeleen says she does not want to talk to Skeeter about this stuff anymore. Skeeter gives Aibeleen her number and asks her to reconsider. Aibeleen sees Minny get off the bus with a chocolate pie. Minny refuses to tell her where she is going.

That night Aibeleen gets a phone call from Minny. Minny is sobbing that Hilly fired her and she did a terrible awful. Then we hear Minny's husband Leroy get home and begin to hit her while Minny screams. Aibeleen looks at Skeeter's number while she hangs up.

Aibeleen uses the new Negro bathroom at the Leefolts. Elizabeth asks Aibeleen Isnt this better? Aibeleen says yes (not meaning it.) Elizabeth ignores Mae Mobley again.

Aibeleen is at church and hears a sermon about how sometimes courage means speaking out.

Skeeter drives to Aibeleen's house. Aibeleen rushes her inside making sure no one sees her. Aibeleen is ready to be interviewed by Skeeter. Skeeter asked what changed her mind. Aibeleen answers God and Miss Hilly Holbrook.

We are now back where the movie started. Skeeter asks Aibeleen if the picture on her wall is her son. Aibeleen says 'yes' and looks extremely sad.

Minny meanwhile gets a job at Miss Celia Foote's mansion. Celia is pregnant and does not want her husband to know she is bringing in help. Minny agrees to help Celia without telling Celia's husband. Minny has to teach Celia how to cook because Celia is terrible at it.

Meanwhile at Hilly's, there is a new black maid. The maid asks Hilly and her husband if she could borrow $75 because she has twin sons she is sending to college. She is $75 short on one of the tuitions and is going to have to choose which so should go to college and which one should take physical labor. Hilly says she is going to do the Christian thing and refuse her because God does not give charity to those who are well and able.

Hilly and Elizabeth set Skeeter up on a date when they are eating at a restaurant. (Skeeter is the only one to thank the black waiter for their food.)

Skeeter makes her hair look really nice in preparation for the date. When she gets there her date, Stuart is already drunk. She storms out after he jokes that she just got a degree to win a husband.

Minny storms in on Skeeter interviewing Aibeleen. She tells them she thinks they are both crazy. Minny leaves and then comes back, saying she just wanted them to know how dangerous what they are doing is but she wants to help. Skeeter interviews Minny about being an often fired black maid.

Hilly's new maid is vacuuming when she sees a small ring on the floor. She pockets it.

Minny is teaching Celia how to dress and act. Celia wants to be accepted by the people of the town but she does not know how.

There is another bridge club and Elizabeth's. Celia shows up in the middle and all the women hide but it is very obvious and Celia knows they are hiding from her.

Skeeter goes to talk to Hilly's maid and ask her if she will agree to be interviewed. She refuses. Hilly storms in on them and accuses the maid of asking Skeeter for money. Skeeter defends the maid. Hilly sees a pamphlet of laws about blacks and whites in Skeeters bag (Skeeter has been carrying it for research for her book). Hilly warns Skeeter that there are some real racists in their town and Skeeter should be careful.

There is a meeting of a young white womens club that Hilly is president of. She asks Skeeter why her proposed law about blacks and whites needing separate toilets hasn't gotten into the newsletter yet. Skeeter says she will put it in the next one.

Skeeter sends her interviews with Aibeleen and Minny to Elaine Stein. Elaine says shell need at least 12 interviews if she wants it published. Skeeter knows that all the maids have refused her and she does not know what to do.

Aibeleen is talking to Hilly's maid at the bus stop when Hilly's maid is arrested for stealing Hilly's ring. Now neither of her sons will go to college.

Skeeter is eating at the restaurant when the waiter tells her she needs to go to Aibeleen's. Skeeter runs over and in Aibeleen's house are 10-20 maids waiting to share their stories in honor of Hilly's maid being wrongly thrown in jail (Hilly didn't even like the ring and it was not valuable.) Skeeter begins to interview.

Minny is in Celia's room and Celia calls to her to leave from behind the locked bathroom door. Minny breaks into the bathroom and sees Celia on the floor surrounded by blood. She has miscarried. Minny puts her to bed and Celia tells her this is fourth miscarriage. Her husband only knew about the first one. They got married because she was pregnant.

Skeeter puts Hilly's new law in the newsletter, as well as an advertisement to bring old coats to Hillys house. Skeeter gets an idea to change it from coats to something else.

The next day Elizabeth gets a call and rushes herself, Mae Mobley, and Aibeleen to Hillys house. Hilly is screaming I told her to write coats! Not Commodes! and on Hilly's lawn there are about 40 toilets. Hilly is in hysterics. Mae Mobley sits on one of the toilets and goes. Elizabeth slaps her till she is sobbing. Later Aibeleen holds her and whispers, You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

Stuart goes to Skeeter's house and apologizes to her for his behavior. They begin to date and actually enjoy each others company.

Minny is walking to Celia's when her husband pulls up. Minny begins to run, and Celia's husband says not to worry, he's known about her for a long time. He wishes the women in town would accept Celia. He thanks Minny for being there for Celia and says he knows about the three lost babies.

Celia continues to wonder why no one will accept her. She figures it was because she got pregnant right after Hilly broke up with Johnny, who was Celia's baby daddy. Celia assumes that Hilly thinks she was cheating with Johnny but really she wasn't. Celia decides to prove her innocence to Hilly at the banquet that is coming up.

Skeeter has finished her book. Aibeleen and Minny are worried that people will figure out that it is Jackson. Minny says she has some insurance in the form of her terrible awful. If they put the terrible awful in the book than they will be protected from people realizing that it is Jackson.

Minny begins her terrible awful. She brought the chocolate pie to Hilly on the day that Aibeleen saw her. Minny acts like the pie is a peace offering. Hilly eats two slices and Hilly's mother wants a slice. Minny says no and Hilly asks why her mother can't have a slice. Minny replies "Eat my shit!" Hilly says "excuse me?" and Minny says "you just ate my shit." Minny baked her shit into the pie and Hilly had two slices. Hilly's mother laughs and laughs.

Minny says if they put that in the book Hilly will make sure no one knows it was actually her. "Who ate Minny's shit". Skeeter and Aibeleen agree.

It is the night of the benefit. Celia is there looking trashy as anything. She gets very drunk. Hilly is leading the event. The auction begins and Hilly wins Minny's chocolate pie. She looks scandalized. Celia congratulates her and Hilly screams at her for entering Hilly's name for the pie. Celia accidently rips Hillys dress. Hilly tells Celia she will never be accepted. Celia flees and throws up on her way out. On Hilly's way out her mother says she entered for her to win the pie because she will never forget the look on Hilly's face when she realized she was eating Minny's shit.

The next day Minny tells Celia her terrible awful to make her feel better. This also helps Celia realize why Hilly was mad at her at the banquet; Hilly thought Celia had put her name in.

Skeeter is nearly finished her book. She needs one more story: her own. Skeeter goes to her mother and insists on knowing where Constantine went. Skeeters mother tells her that she had just been honored by the DAR. Constantines daughter Rachel stormed in and the DAR ladies insisted she throw both Rachel and Constantine out. The next day Skeeter's mother tried to get Constantine back but she had already moved to Chicago. Constantine died two weeks later. Skeeter accuses her mother of breaking Constantine's heart.

Skeeter gets her book published: only a few copies. Within a few days it is a sensation in Jackson, MS. Stuart breaks up with Skeeter when he finds out it was her who wrote the book. Everyone wants to know: is this place Jackson or not? Hilly is adamant that it is not (she can't let anyone find out about the pie.)

Celia sends Hilly a check for the dress, making it out to Two Slice Hilly. Hilly screams and tears it into pieces.

Minny goes to Celia's to find a delicious meal waiting for her. Celia cooked it all herself. Celia and her husband Johnny say that Minny will always have a job with them. From that meal Minny got the strength to leave her abusive husband.

Minny and Aibeleen go to church where the entire congregation has signed copies of The Help for Aibeleen and Skeeter.

Aibeleen and Minny present Skeeter with her copy. Skeeter mentions she got a job in New York but she can't take it, not with all the drama she started with writing The Help. Aibeleen and Minny insist she go.

Hilly is furious at Skeeter and she storms over to Skeeter's house in a drunken fury, as she has figured out that Skeeter is the author. She threatens to tell Skeeter's mother and Skeeter's mother kicks Hilly off her property after insulting her. Skeeter's mother says Skeeter should take the job in New York. Skeeter does.

Aibeleen goes to Elizabeth's where Hilly and Elizabeth are waiting. Hilly insists Elizabeth fire Aibeleen (which Elizabeth does not want to do) for stealing silver (which Aibeleen did not do.) Hilly wants to report Aibeleen to the police and Aibeleen says if that happens she will tell everyone Hilly's secret. Hilly is trapped. Elizabeth fires Aibeleen and Aibeleen leaves, knowing this was her last job. Before she goes she tells Mae Mobley "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." Aibeleen realizes that now se can write about how she has been treated.

She has a future.