I don’t usually post much on the weekends, but last night I saw the movie, “The Help” and was compelled to write. A brief overview of the movie is as follows (found in a Google search):
Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, a southern society girl returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives — and a small Mississippi town — upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen, 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.
What an incredible movie! The previews that were aired on television had gotten my attention, I knew it was a movie I wanted to see and I loved every minute of it! We (the folks in the theatre and myself) laughed, cried, and applauded. Throughout the movie, I often wondered what it would have been like to live during those days and what kind of a person I would have been. Would I have been one of the those women who had to have a separate bathroom in my home for the help? Or would I have been one of those women who saw equality and had conversations with and even ate my lunch with them? I think I would have been a lot like Skeeter, but I guess its hard to truly know. I would certainly hope and pray that I would be nothing like Hilly. What an evil woman! There were parts in the movie where I became so upset with the behaviors, words and mistreatment of those women. At one point it was stated that some people are mean for sport. A crazy thought and makes you ask the question, how? Seriously, how can people be that way? How were those men and women so cold? It really starts to make you think, even about the person you are today. Anywho, the Civil Rights movement has come a long way — and thank God for that {wink}.
A few thought-provoking-impression-like-thingys from the movie (without giving details away) that really impressed upon me included the beautiful friendship between Aibileen and Minny, the storyline of courage, the love outpoured from the ‘help/maids’ on the children, and the sisterhood of both the white and black communities. Aibileen wanted the children she raised to feel special — she says to the one little girl in her southern accent, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Unfortunately, some of the mommies didn’t know how to be a mommy because they allowed their help to do everything.
If you choose to see this movie, I believe you’ll not only be entertained, but challenged! I know I was. This movie made think — it had me reevaluating relationships that I have, reminded me that we’re ALL equal, and it reminded me on how blessed I am with a sisterhood/friendship with my sister, who just happened to be sitting right next to me at the movie. Life has a way of gently nudging us in unexpected ways — music, movies, books. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes we need a good shove too {smile}.
Thanks for stopping by. I encourage you to go see this movie (or read the book). I can almost guarantee that you won’t be disappointed you did. Keep living and laughing!!
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