"The Help"

**forHISglory** · 09-04-2011, 10:03 PM

Went to see "The Help" this weekend. That movie is going to stick in my head for a loooooooong time. I remember that era very well.

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 09-04-2011, 10:51 PM

That was a good movie! Made you want to laugh your butt off and bawl at the same time. Was the movie very close to the reality of the 1960's?

**madkat2618** · 09-04-2011, 11:00 PM

I really want to see that one! I read the book and absolutely loved it!

**frugalwarrior2** · 09-04-2011, 11:12 PM

Can't wait to see that but I hate theatres so DVD soon I hope.
TreeHugger-Sadly,I imagine it was pretty acurate. I remember Leslie Ugums doing an interveiw saying growing up she thought white people were ghosts. I remember white people thinking black people were dirty and thats why they were dark. I grew up in the Detroit area and people didn't mix ever. This was about 1965ish. It all sounds so stupid and outrageous now but people grew up in the vaccumns of their immediate area. So hard for the internet generation to understand.

**forHISglory** · 09-04-2011, 11:36 PM

I grew up in Iowa and there were very few blacks. I never saw a live black person (as opposed to TV..) until I was probably 12 or 13. The stereotype was that they were not too bright, but happy with their lot, and could all sing on tune. Oh yes, and that all blacks ate fried chicken and watermelon. they were called pickaninnies, and mammies and black joes. And people considered them to be dirty (the motivation behind the bathroom conflict on the movie).

Once I left home and began to see reality, I realized that every part of that stereotype was false. Sad, but they were treated like another species. I'm sure it was worse in Mississippi. The times we visited relatives there, the strict segregation shocked me. They, however, thought nothing of it; it's just the way they were. My great aunt in Kentucky had her black maid. She was kind to her, but it was definitely a class difference.

I really see culture, tradition and world view as important when trying to understand the world at that time. The southern elite who had always had black servants saw this as normal and right. They could not understand why anyone would be upset.

**sinopa27** · 09-04-2011, 11:45 PM

I want to see this movie. I didn't know what to expect since I haven't read the book. Maybe I will catch a matinee.
thanks for the recommendation.

**Michelle68** · 09-05-2011, 01:27 AM

I've read the book (and loved it). Will be going to see the movie tomorrow. I'm hoping it measures up to the book.

**Ssindi** · 09-05-2011, 07:36 AM

As a "person of color",I wasn't sure about seeing the movie. However DH and I went to see it last week and really liked what we saw.I was raised in a small town and remember well those "us"only places. I want to read the book after all the hoopla is over.

**Lady_V** · 09-05-2011, 08:39 AM

I read the book first, then saw the movie the day after.

I think the movie was good on it's own, but I was a little let down that the movie changed a few of the plot lines to be more screen-friendly.

I won't give away the details of the differences... but, lets just say, there were quite a few.

The book was AMAZING... so good that I read it straight through in one day.

**McD** · 09-05-2011, 08:41 AM

I read and loved the book. My sister in law and I are trying to coordinate a time to see the movie.

**forHISglory** · 09-05-2011, 09:17 AM

I have only read a fragment of the book. Intend to read it all this fall. I didn't realize that there were differences. Now I'm hyped to read!

**ncarr** · 09-05-2011, 09:37 AM

LOVED the book! I liked the movie too but they dropped some plotlines.

**nodmicks** · 09-05-2011, 10:45 AM

I just finished the book yesterday. My mom recommended it. I was born in 70 . Mom lived in the south as a young adult so she remembered it alll.

**Josephhgoins** · 09-05-2011, 04:55 PM

I want to see this movie, thanks everyone for letting me know it will be worth it.

btw, I grew up in the 80's in a very remote rural area. They have always been behind the times there. We had no minorities in my elementary school at all. I remember one day at lunch I was talking about the Cosby show and one of the girls had to explain to me why no one else watched the show. Most didn't because the family was black, she explained that her parents didn't let her watch mixed shows (black and white) was the reason she didn't see it. She acted as if her family was far superior than others because of the different reason.

I even remember her trying to be patient with me and saying it was because of salt and pepper and how they didn't mix.

**rosey7415** · 09-05-2011, 07:08 PM

i want to see this movie also. i hardly ever go to the movies as there is never anything i really want to see. this looked interesting to me and now that someone has recommended it .....for sure i want to go now........