Think about it; it was the 1960’s, the civil rights movement was in its infancy and Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) was back from college and wanted to interview the black maids from her small Mississippi town. With any luck, Skeeter hoped to get the stories published. Can you imagine, writing a story from the black maids’ perspectives during this time? To have them utter out loud what it felt like to cook, clean, raise the children; yet, not even being allowed to use the same bathroom in the house–what maid would jeopardize her job, even her life to do it? What in the world was Skeeter thinking?! Well let me tell you: Skeeter is a character who looks beyond the surface; has a determined fire inside of her and the actress Emma Stone (Easy A, Crazy Stupid Love) nails the performance as she is unwavering to get their story out. The acting in this movie is truly wonderful: from Viola Davis (Doubt, Eat Pray Love) as Aibileen; to Octavia Spencer (Being John Malkovich, Seven Pounds) as Minny, who has a gift for comedic timing; to Bryce Dallas Howard (50/50, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) as Hilly Holbrook, the steely, snooty, better than thou housewife. I have not read the book this movie was based on; however, I have heard it closely followed the story. Whether it does or does not, I feel you will be just as enthralled as I was, when I viewed this film.

3 2/3 stars

http://youtu.be/J_ajv_6pUnI