The Help movie

Has anyone seen The Help yet?
Did you LOVE it as much as I did?

My thoughts:

*I normally try to wait a few weeks after a movie is out, but this one, 6 days out and I couldn't wait any longer. Of course I read the book...I don't know many who haven't. And maybe it's just me, but the characters, the houses, even the homes "on the other side of the railroad tracks" were just as I pictured them! I didn't expect that.

*I generally have a hard time sitting through movies, which is why we don't watch many. But this one, I was not bored not even for a minute. We packed our lunch and while Den ate his, I hardly touched mine. I was just too gripped by the movie.

*I loved going back to the 1960s. TV trays, Breeze detergent, cat eye glasses, wall phones with dangling cords, The Guiding Light, Jergen's Lotion, typewriter ribbon, peas with pearl onions, white gloves, and The Twist.

*The decor of the homes and hair styles was enough in itself to captivate me.

*Another thing I was surprised about....My 2 favorite characters in the book were Aiblene and Skeeter. And in the movie, I loved their acting the most. Maybe that stands to reason.

*It was also difficult to watch in parts.
I remember sitting in Woolworths for lunch back in the early to mid 1960s. Black people were only allowed at certain tables. As I child I didn't question that. It's just the way it was. But now, of course I feel horror as I think back. How could anyone, anyone at all, ever think that was okay?

*I was surprised to learn at the end, that one of the main roles, Hilly Holbrook, and also the most hated character in the story, was played by the daughter of Ron Howard.

*Dennis didn't read the book but he still seemed to enjoy the movie. Tonight he's been in a reflective mood saying how sad it was that people were actually treated that way. 

*Was the movie as good as the book? I would say YES. A rare match, I know. 

So if you saw it, what did you think??

19 comments:

cristie said...

i liked this movie sooo much. i agree that it is nice to see a movie do the book justice. everyone was perfectly cast. the acting was superb! i had not idea that hilly was ron howard's daughter...she did an awesome job with that role.
we saw it for family night and all of my kids seemed to enjoy it as well. a wonderful walk down memory lane although i did not grow up exposed to racial discrimination. xox

Scrapally said...

I loved the movie and it's one of my favorite books! I did think it did the book justice, only changing a couple of things. I too loved the fashions and the sets and the acting. I didn't know she was Ron Howard's daughter...I do know she was the second Victoria in twilight. Did you know this was the author's first book and she was rejected SIXTY times before someone accepted her manuscript? Inspiring...Glad you saw the movie, thanks for sharing!

Ammy said...

I can't wait to see the movie...BUT I have to read the book first...and it's on my list to read!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recommendation, Jill. I read the book and loved it. It haunted me for WEEKS. I was a little scared to see the movie because I thought they'd ruin it. But, at the same time, I've been chomping at the bit to see it. We have to drive 100 miles round-trip to see it (the same to go to Trader Joe's), so it may have to wait a couple of weeks. But, I'll let you know what I think when we do. Phone date?
darlene

Kim said...

I'm in the middle of the book right now and it's hard to put down.

I read that this is the author's first book! She did an amazing job and I can't wait to see the movie.

Susan Anderson said...

I'm going to see it just as soon as I get a chance. Everyone I know has loved it.

=)

Anonymous said...

i cried and i never cry in movies! i loved it i would go see in 12 more times

McKenna Heasley said...

I have been dieing to see this movie! Now with your recommendation I just want to see it even more!

Stephanie Cozzens said...

Sam and I went to see it last Friday night for our date - we loved it. We're both big fans of the book and were hoping they wouldn't ruin it as so often happens, but were pleasantly surprised.

Donna Tagliaferri said...

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I loved the book.
I lived this life....I wrote a post one time about tomatoes...it was a seminal moment in my life.
Thank you for your kind words...I always appreciate it...

Whitney Jay said...

The last time I saw a movie in the movie theaters was in 2009. For some reason we never go to the movies, but I saw The Help on opening night and LOVED every second of it. I agree with all your points, everything matched exactly how I imagined it. It was just SO good!

threelittlebackseatdrivers.blogspot.com said...

Just saw it TODAY with my mom and sister. So great...I'm dying to watch it again...it's got so many layers to it, I couldn't even begin to absorb all of it! I haven't read the book, but now I want to for more detail!

Susan Rozier said...

I'm going for the 2nd time today WITH YOUR DAD!!! My take is that I've LISTENED to the book MULTIPLE TIMES. The narrators/performances were so excellent that I couldn't possibly see how the movie could measure up, but it did! Susan

Connie said...

I loved the book! I haven't seen the movie yet! But I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Ronnell said...

I loved the book and the movie both Jill. Mine was an interesting perspective, having grown up in south Georgia most of my friends were actually raised by black housekeepers. We even had one but ours only came once a week. I do have to say these women were extremely important. Many white children grew up loving these women more than they loved their own mothers because of the loving care they received from them. I am so thankful that we've come as far as we have but unfortunately here in the south there are still some old prejudices to this day. Mostly among the older generation.

Lisa said...

The best part about leaving town is coming home & reading your blog! LOL How I love your thoughts & ideas. I bought this book & started it but cannot figure out where it went. Everyone is talking about this movie & it's getting "like" alot on fb! The way you described yourself in this post down to not being able to sit thru a movie, sounds like me! Thanks for posting this! Thanks also for hitting my blog today. It felt so NICE! I LOVE YOU!

grandmapeg said...

Seeing this trailer makes me even more excited to see the movie. My friend said that this movie followed the book very closely, in fact the best that she had ever seen. Thanks for your view on this.

Ammy said...

I am ALMOST (2 chapters left) finished reading this book. I had to come back and see who your favorite characters where to see if they were mine too, and they are! I love Minny too! I love how she speaks her mind and wish I could be a little more like that.

kelly said...

I haven't seen the movie yet because I read the book and it's my favorite. I didn't think it could possibly come close. I'll go see it now, thanks for the review.

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