The Contender: The Help, starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard and Octavia Spencer
Release Date: August 10
The One-Two Punch: It not only features summer’s “it” actress Emma Stone in a dramatic role, but the highly anticipated film is based on the New York Times’ bestselling novel by the same name.
The Premise: Set in 1960s-era Jackson, Miss., one fearless reporter makes it her mission to tell the story of the African American women working tirelessly behind the scenes of the city’s most esteemed families. Appalled by the mistreatment of these women, not to mention the fact that they are instructed to use separate bathrooms from their employers, the book that’s eventually published sends the city into a frenzy.
The Verdict: While the language is a bit coarser than it needs to be, and parts are a bit too simplified, The Help is a crowd-pleasing effort that faithfully captures the spirit of the book. Plus, it provides a glimpse of history that’s just as troubling to relive as it was to live through.