The Help

We went to see The Help the night before last.  I had a powerful emotional reaction to it.  It left me dumstruck on so many emotional levels it's hard to sort out my feelings.  I wasn't expecting a reaction--haven't read the book yet, although I've heard many good things about it, hadn't heard anything about the movie.  I expected to be entertained, and nothing more. 


I was abhored by the attitudes.  It's one thing to know that type of behavior went on ----


WARNING!!!  MILD SPOILER ACTIVITY FOLLOWS -----


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I know that type of behavior went on, but to actually see it depicted onscreen -- and this is going to sound so anti-male prejudicial, but I expected that type of behavior from Southern white males, because I guess that's what all the other stories and films focused on.  But to see it displayed by women, made me sick to my stomach.  I guess I've been guilty of thinking that most women are more compassionate.  Maybe all the women were stereotyped, I don't know, but I suspect it was more true than false. 


I loved the main character so much for her courage in going against type and not being afraid to speak out against injustice.  More of us should be like her.  And then the fact that she was a writer, and knowing that a writer penned the story to begin with, touched me on a writerly level, that secret wish that most of us harbor, I think, in wishing we could make an impact like that. 


At the end of the movie, I don't think I recall a movie audience sitting there for so long in just stunned silence.  It was very quiet exiting the theater, I was incapable of speech, and I think many others, were, too.  I hope it was for admiration for the film.  One never knows. 


If you've seen the movie, I'd be interested in your reaction/thoughts.