At first doubts were cast over The Help as it seemed that it, like many others before, would be centred on a hastily produced screenplay as more recent book adaptations are. These films are rushed into production and fail to live up to the reputation of the novel. The screenplay for The Help was not rushed; in fact the timing couldn’t have been better. The script was finished around the same time as the book because the rights to adapt the novel were sold to little known director, and close friend of the author, Tate Taylor back in 2008.

Taylor’s connection with the original author is instantly noticed and his direction and writing replicates the depth and realism of the novel by offering glimpses into the lives of each of his characters. From the struggling mother daughter relationships to domestic violence, each character’s individual narrative is more interesting than the last. The performances support Taylor’s script, with Emma Stone reinforcing her identity as one of the most exciting new faces working in film and Viola Davis who captures perfectly the emotions of every scene. Each aspect of this film works and Taylor stifles all prejudgements towards his film, delivering a film that captures everything that made the original novel popular.