Girls’ Night Out at #TheHelpMovie

It’s been a long time since I had a girls’ night out! (which incidentally, just helped me figure out what #gno stands for. Wow. What took me so long?).

My friend Jen and I went to the pre-screening of THE HELP Movie by Dreamworks Pictures on Monday night. (Couldn’t tell ya about it till now, because it’s all hush-hush, ya know?). What I loved about going with Jen, besides that she is awesome fun, is that she’s a reading teacher, and we had both read the book! Honestly, I should have her guest post on this, because she has such a way of delving deep into storylines!

Since we loved the book (read it!), our focus as we watched was to analyze whether the author’s voice came through as clearly in the movie as it did in the book. We noticed the overwhelming majority of the audience had definitely read the book, because  there were many places where we gave a collective gasp, laugh, or cheer for the characters.

I’m not a movie critic, but here’s what I loved. The setting and scenery were lovely (locals donated geniune props from their houses, and pieces of the author’s childhood hometown, like the diner, were recreated for the set!). The character’s accents well-practiced and believable. The storyline moved at a good pace and held our attention. The characterization was well-played. Minny makes us laugh. Abilene makes us cheer. And Hilly is a girl we love to hate! (Grr!).

After the movie, Jen and I discussed various aspects of the film and agreed: viewers will get the most out of this movie if they have read the book beforehand. There were certain scenes we were prepared for because we had an understanding of certain fine details from the book. For instance, details in the book about Minny’s abusive marriage gave me a better understanding of why she stayed with him so long. The movie acknowledged the abuse part, but due to the limits of a movie, did not develop the conflicting feelings of love and obligation Minny felt. Overall though, I felt the movie did good justice to the story and themes in the book! 

Surprisingly, the part of the story that gripped me the most, brought me to tears, was the plight of poor little May Mobley. I read the novel THE HELP shortly after giving birth, so maybe I didn’t see it clearly when I was reading. But after 17 months of parenting, it crushed me to see a child so unloved and ignored by her mother, and to watch her sob as the only person that loved her, that told her “You is kind, you is smart, you is important,” (which every child should be told!) leaving forever. May Mobley is such a small part of the plot, but I think it speaks to the trickle-down effect of people’s cruelty. Hilly’s vendetta made her force Elizabeth to fire her maid on false accusations. Elizabeth’s acquiensence is cruel not just to Abilene, but to her own daughter.

Although I know the themes in this movie/novel center more around making a difference, having courage, and finding friendships in the most unlikely places… the takeaway for me was the reminder that our children reap the reward or curse of our actions and words. I left the movie wondering… what kind of adult would May Mobley grow up to be? Like the mother who despised her, or like the maid who was her “real mama”?

Well, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, so I’ll just say, THE HELP is a movie that will make you laugh and cry. And hopefully, THINK. And please, do read the book first!

THE HELP Movie opens today, August 10!!

Here’s more fun THE HELP Movie info:

• View the Trailer here:

• Like THE HELP Movie on Facebook
• Download THE HELP Book Club Guide
• Enter THE HELP Movie Prize Pack Giveaway until 8/13 (Rafflecopter).

Have you seen The HELP Movie or read the book? What are your thoughts?