The Help

This movie slowly was rolled out during the final blitz of summer movie. It was not on my radar of movies to watch because I was not in the mood for another Driving Ms. Daisy. I assumed wrong and after watching The Help I feel that everyone should see this movie.
Let’s start with the (2) women who should receive Oscar nominations. Octavia Spencer who has been in many movies in supporting roles but she gives a superstar performance as Minnie Jackson, one of the maids in the movie. Emma Stone who plays Skeeter, is the best young actresses in Hollywood today.
The movie is from a bestselling book about a look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.
The movie takes place during the Civil Rights Era and covers the death of Medgar Evers and President Kennedy.
Another breakthrough performance comes from Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard’s daughter. This is her best performance to date and I hope she is not typecast for playing someone you love to hate (as she does so well in The Help) in future movies. The great Cicely Tyson, who has been forgotten by Hollywood, has a key role as Skeeter’s maid. Tyson should receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for having to play Ms. Jane Pittman over and over again.
This movie should have Oscar nominations for screenplay and direction as well but it may have come out too early and could be overshadowed by movies that come out in September through November. I hope not.
Regardless of that this is a must see and at over 2 hours long you will be thoroughly entertained.

Verdict:
Perfect casting and breakthrough performances.