Emilia Perezis far from the only controversial Oscar contender, as the history of cinematic awards is rife with upsets and undeserved winners. In 2011,Tate Taylor’sThe Helpcertainly caused some waves when it received four Academy Award nominations and one win — and now, this problematic period drama seems to be making a comeback on Hulu.
Set in 1960s-era Jackson, Mississippi,The Helpexamines the lives of African-American domestic laborersby focusing on Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, two Black women who work for wealthy white socialites. Their mistreatment at the hands of the socialites is documented by an aspiring writer, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, who is also white. Throughout the course of the film, Minny, Aibileen, and other maids in their community face several instances of racism and aggression from their employers: Minny is fired for using an indoor “whites only” bathroom during a dangerous tornado, while another maid is violently arrested. Skeeter eventually publishes these injustices in a book which becomes so widely read that she is able to give the proceeds to the women whose stories she observed. However, at the conclusion of the film, Aibileen is fired in part because of Skeeter’s book, and decides to pursue writing instead.
The Helpis based on of Kathryn Stockett’s novelof the same name, published in 2009. Although Stockett advertised her novel as fictional with inspirations from historical reality during the Civil Rights Movement, a woman named Ablene Cooper came forward in 2011, claiming that events and names from the story had been unlawfully appropriated from her own life. Cooper was the maid of Stockett’s brother, and argued that her life strongly mirrored that of the character Aibileen. Despite these assertions, however, the case was dismissed that year due to the statute of limitations.
Starring an ensemble cast,The Helpfeatures Viola Davis as Aibileen, Octavia Spencer as Minny, and Emma Stone as Skeeter. At the 84th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Picture, while Viola Davis was nominated for Best Actress, and Jessica Chastain for Best Supporting Actress. Only Octavia Spencer won her category, however, as Best Supporting Actress.
Why is ‘The Help’ So Controversial?
Although it received plenty of critical acclaim and impressive box office numbers,The Helphas since been regarded as controversial, both by fans and some of the actors themselves. Many saw the film as a watered-down representation of the Black Civil Rights Movement, meant to make white people feel good about themselves instead of showing the true extent of the violence and discrimination that people of color faced during that time period. This is partially becauseThe Helpis told from the perspective of Skeeter, placing her thoughts and emotions at the center of the narrative rather than emphasizing the experiences of the maids — who are supposed to be, we are told, the primary focus of the film.
Most Controversial Oscar Wins in History
The Academy Awards continue to polarize both audiences and critics alike for the people and pictures they select to receive the prestigious statuette.
While there are certainly white characters who behave in abominable ways, their cruelty in the narrative is offset by the actions of “the good ones,” or characters like Skeeter and Minny’s second employer Celia Rae Foote (Jessica Chastain). These benevolent figures are representative of our culture’s long-standing tradition of white guilt, and also play into the trope of the white savior. As a result,The Help’s attempt to explore the lives of African-American maids is ultimately overshadowed by the fact thatit caters to and coddles white audiences, first and foremost.
