Big-Screen Version Of “The Help” Honors The Novel With A Faithful Adaptation

After thoroughly enjoying Kathryn Stockett’s novel “The Help” (earning it the No. 2 spot on my Scooties Books of the Year for 2011), I have to admit that I had small hopes for the film version, since most of the promos appeared to have truly Disney-fied the very real and violent racial issues at the core of the story. However, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the faithfulness of the adaptation, which made for a truly memorable movie.

While Bryce Dallas Howard was an inspired choice as the skin-crawlingly revolting Hilly Holbrook, Jessica Chastain was tremendous as Celia Foote and Emma Stone was solid in the star role as “Skeeter,” the movie followed suit from the book in having the maids steal the show. The understated Viola Davis as Aibileen and the over-the-top Octavia Spencer as Minny were sublime, balancing the right blends of outrage and duty.

I did take issue with a few departures from the novel. Stone wasn’t a great fit as Skeeter, as she is far too hot for a character who is repeatedly described as homely in the book. In addition, her mother (played by Allison Janney) was a far cry from the stifling, overbearing Charlotte from the book; playing the role in a much softer way, to me, diminished some of the emotions that drive Skeeter to take on such a momentous project.

Director Tate Taylor, who also wrote the screenplay, also elected to delete a scene of a group of black parishioners presenting her with a signed copy of the completed book. To me, it was a surprising move, considering how tremendously powerful the scene read in the novel and how it finally offered physical proof of the connection Skeeter finally realizes with the people she truly wrote the book for. Also, the crushing death of Treelone, Aibileen’s son was kind of glossed over, when it actually provided much of the impetus for Aibileen agreeing to help Skeeter.

For the most part, however, the film range true to the story, capable of evoking real emotion while bringing in some needed humor at key times (though some of the acute tension and fear that the novel carries was missing). Achieving this unique blend was a true feat, and earned the flick four Academy Award nominations.

All in all, “The Help” allayed my initial fears that some of the harsh truths of the novel would be swept away on the big screen, and I found it to be a worthwhile and enjoyable adaptation of a book eminently deserving of such a portrayal.