THE HELP

I could not wait to see this movie.  I have never read the book but, I will, even though I've heard that the screenplay stayed very close to the novel.  It was the story of the "maids" of socialites in the deep south during the sixties and, the rebellious young member of high society who was an aspiring writer and, chose to tell the story of the black women who spent most of their week raising the children of white families while their own fended for themselves.

These ladies did the cooking, cleaning, child rearing with very little respect from their employers.  My 23 year old daughter had trouble relating to this concept, the wealthy as she grew up were raised by nannies, lived in homes where there was a weekly cleaning service and food was catered.  Being a non-socialite child in the sixties, I do remember a friend who had a wonderful maid named Bessie and, I don't think I ever met her mother.

I think this movie is this generation's "Steel Magnolias".  A poignant story with story with some unforgettable performances of extremely talented actresses.