Book to Movie Review: The Help


I have been wanting to see The Help for months now but missed it at the movies.  Having absolutely loved the book, I felt sure that the movie adaptation would be just as good.  Read my review of the novel by Kathryn Stockett here.  

I watched The Help during my 11-month old's naptime, which meant that I watched it with subtitles to keep the volume down.  I think I got more out of the movie that way.  Some of the dialogue was difficult to understand, and watching with subtitles meant that I didn't miss a word.

Of course, there were some changes from the book to the movie version, but they did not bother me too much.  I did feel like some of the important scenes were omitted from the movie, especially the part about Minnie and the miscarried baby.  

The casting was excellent and everyone did such a good job.  I especially loved Viola Davis as Abilene and Octavia Spencer as Minnie.  And Emma Stone is such a good little actress!  I have really enjoyed all of her movies to date.  Allison Janney was a perfect Mrs. Phelan and I thought her scenes were some of the movie's best.

The movie adaptation was not as good as the book (which was just outstanding) but it was still a really good movie.  I enjoyed it a lot, and think just about anyone would like it.  It is a powerful movie that really makes you think about what it was like to live through the Civil Rights movement.



5 comments:

  1. I really, really liked the movie. The changes didn't bother me too much. The book and movie are both such important labors of love. Great Review!
    Janiera @This is From my Heart

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  2. I haven't read the book but I did watch the movie and I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to. This is one of those instances where watching the movie has made me want to read the book :)

    I {heart} Emma Stone!! And I agree that the rest of the cast was superb :)

    ♥Isalys / Book Soulmates

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  3. This is one of the few movies where I had the same reaction to the book- "it's pretty good". I still had some issues with it just like I had with the book. Though I will say that Viola Davis was terrific in the movie and I really thought she'd win for Best Actress. Octavia Spencer cracked me up and loved her in her role.

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  4. I loved this movie too. So glad you liked it.

    As for watching it low with subtitles, isn't it funny the way we adapt things for our little ones?

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  5. I agree!! The movie can not compare to the book. The book was amazing. The movie was great as well...but the book, well, that was in a whole different league.

    Tami

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