Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Help (2011)

What is it about? 

An aspiring author in Jim Crow Mississippi looks to introduce the perspective of black maids that tend to white families, and the hardships they experience.

Who is in it?

Emma Stone - Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan

Viola Davis - Aibileen Clark

Octavia Spencer - Minny Jackson

Favorite Scene:

After being falsely accused of theft and threatened to be thrown in jail, Aibeleen fears for her job and life no longer and courageously stands in the face of the bigot employer, Hilly Holbrook, and calls her a coward.

Favorite Quote: 

"If you can love your enemy, you already have victory"

Review:

The Help is an excellent film. Based on a novel, the plot will  not only just entertain you, but will stimulate the mind as well as pull on the emotional strings of your heart. The Help has a great feel that captures the 1960's in rural Mississippi which adds to the feel of the film. Such aspects as the language used, the attire worn, the cars driven, the homes in the area, and other little things like the interior of the homes add to the realness of the film. The film exemplified a tremendous attention to detail. 

Yet, what really drives the greatness of this film is the performance of Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer. Especially, the performance of Viola Davis' portrayal of Aiblieen Clark, the strong-willed maid who watched her son die in the Jim Crow south. Their ability to let the viewer in on serious topics such as Jim Crow laws, the lives of black maids tending to white families, the rarely discussed issue of black maids raising white children, and the strong relationships that grew from the situations, are the backbone of this The Help.

All in all, The Help is an amazing film that is quite the experience in viewing it. A highly recommended watch at the 137 minute runtime. 

Grade: 4.25/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Knicks Postseason 2026, 1st Round vs. Atlanta Hawks

I'm back with another one of these posts, collecting my thoughts and ponderings through the NBA Playoffs. For this one, we'll stick to just the 1st Round vs. the Atlanta Hawks.  I'm already nervous.  Last year's opening round series vs. the Detroit Pistons added gray hairs to my beard. And the year before? That opening playoff series vs. the Philadelphia 76ers likely took some years off my life.  So yeah, here we go again... Some quick thoughts  before the series begins from this fan:  The Atlanta Hawks were NOT my top pick for matchups in the first round. They definitely picked us. But the Playoffs are the Playoffs - everyone is good! I'm concerned about this...I really am. My Key Matchup: Dyson Daniels on Jalen Brunson My Key Stats: The Knicks led the NBA in 4th Quarter Net Rating - That is an attribute that is vastly being overlooked in this series. The Knicks are very good in the closing quarter - they have been all year. It's an identity that will surely h...