Hmmm. What to do, what to do.
Go see The Help for the stereotypical characters, or go see the The Help to watch good performances of stereotypical characters?
That seems to be the new and improved marketing plan for the film.
Since being rocked by a number of unflattering reviews (now come on, they had to know there would be a few) I’m seeing comments around the internet grabbing at straws. Excuses like well, while the movie may be flawed, Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis shouldn’t be penalized. Because this is an important subject.
Oh Please. The last thing any person, actor or no wants is to be pitied.
They knew what they were getting into when they took the parts. Octavia Spencer especially, since she was more than happy to promote the book with Stockett, even with all the offensive bullshit on the pages.
Spencer stood shoulder to shoulder with Stockett while the author took on a pseudo “black” sounding voice, while reciting the “spoilt cootchie” scene, which I don’t think they put in the film, thank god. Here’s the link to the post on Kathryn Stockett’s Magical Minstrel Tour, where the author can’t hide her amusement over her own words.
“Week after Clyde left you, Cocoa woke up to her cootchie spoilt like a rotten oyster.” (Pg 24, Minny)
Then Stockett goes on to claim Aibileen and Minny’s highly stupid conversation reminded her of the ones she’d have with friends.
Funny I don’t remember Skeeter and the gals discussing their delicate cootchies over bridge.
Hilly talks spoilt cootchies
According to Boxofficemojo, the film has taken in over 9 million in two days. Projected opening week gross should be a little over the studio’s estimate, which was around 20 million.
I believe it’ll do better than that, but then again I’m not going to see the film, having decided to boycott early on.
But I’ve been compiling reviews, and if anyone wants to post their own personal review in the comments section, please feel free to do so.
You know what the real problem is don’t you?
It’s the fact that there aren’t any good roles for black females AND black males (unless you’re a male named Will Smith or Denzel Washington)
But it’s not just African American thespians afflicted with this curse. And it is a curse, because this problem has been around for years. There just aren’t star making roles for minorities. Pickings must be pretty bad if The Help is being offered up as the best Hollywood can do this year.
Somebody needs to explain to me why and how cringing and cowering (Aibileen), or being quick with the tongue on screen (Minny) translates into an Oscar nominated role for either Davis or Spencer. Because the last thing anyone needs is a sympathy statuette.
Yes, let’s nominate and give them an award just because roles for black actors have been so slim this year.
OR
Those were really hard roles to play but especially hard for me to watch in certain scenes. So I know it must have been hard for the actors. It made me feel guilty over what black people went through.
Then imagine how bad it must have been for say, Hattie McDaniel. Because not only did she play a “sassy” slave on screen, but the times she lived in when winning her Academy Award weren’t that much better. It’s reported that Hattie was ordered to read an acceptance speech specially prepared by the studio she worked for.
Hattie McDaniel haunting Oscar pic. Hard not to wonder what she was thinking or going through
“I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel. And may I say thank you and God bless you.”
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/jan/16/10-best-acceptance-speeches-film
But see, it shouldn’t be that The Help is rewarded simply because it makes a bunch of people feel bad about what happened to African Americans. Because if that’s the case, then doing something for those who are here right now may be the best way to assist. Like volunteering at a school to help with literacy or supporting worthwhile, non-profit minority organizations with a donation.
The thought did get me curious as to what they’d done in previous years, since some are feeling so generous and already predicting Oscars for The Help.
The Academy gave James Baskett an honorary Oscar for Disney’s 1946 animated feature Song of The South
Actor James Bassett played kindly, lovable Uncle Remus from Disney's "Song of the South"
Uncle Remus: Well, Miss Sally, the stories ain’t done no…
Sally: They only confuse him. Now, I know you mean well, Uncle Remus, but Johnny’s too young.
Uncle Remus: Miss Sally…
Sally: I’ll have to ask you not to tell him any more.
Uncle Remus: Yes, ‘m…
The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters
In this forgotten Mickey Mouse bookfrom 1948, Mickey gets a crate full of West African bananas, and finds an African inside instead! Ha!” The savage soon is confused by Mickey’s human lifestyle and commits acts of random violence.
See all nine nominees here:
Posted on August 12, 2011
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