A Little More Help

I read an article in Entertainment Weekly about THE HELP. Here's a link to the online version. I do not agree with the author, Mark Harris, on several points. Let's break it down:

1. "...the early-Amy-Irving ringlets on aspiring writer Skeeter Phelan seem to have been teleported from 15 years in the future..." D'ya think? Because I thought Skeeter had bad hair. And in the Mississippi humidity, it could frizzle and frazzle and perhaps look like that on a girl who didn't much give a hoot about her appearance most of the time. It's not like she went out and paid for a perm.

2. "... the white characters’ outfits are all too store-window new, their wigs too Hairspray bright." Weren't these society gals always trying to outdo each other? To have the biggest, the best, to be most popular? Isn't that why Mae Mobley's mama was so concerned about her homemade dresses? Because she couldn't afford to keep up with the Holbrooks?

3. "And the twist that a delicious meal cooked by a nice white lady is what gives outspoken Minny (Octavia Spencer) the fortitude to leave her abusive husband isn’t merely patronizing; it’s a violation of everything we know about her strong-willed character." Was this guy even watching the same movie as I was? Because clearly, Minny gained the fortitude to leave her abusive husband because Johnny Foote said she would have a job with them as long as she wanted. Right before they sat down to that delicious meal.

Maybe Mr. Harris should have read the book. Then he could put these issues in context before shooting off his fingers. Nationally. In such an article.

Of course, he's entitled to his own opinion. But so am I.