Help me!

I have a confession to make. I'd written it off as a "girl's film". Surely the movie of a book my wife read would not exactly thrill me? But I'm nothing if not open-minded - especially when it comes with a free ticket to an advanced showing!

I was fortunate enough to see a special free preview screening of 'The Help' at the Youthwork Summit last weekend. I was working on the Summit team and I hadn't expected to get the opportunity so when the chance came I went for it. How often do you get to see a pre-pre-release showing of ANY film?! Maybe it would be good? Failing that, maybe I could bad-mouth it on Wittertainment... I wasn't holding out much hope but joined my fellow youth workers regardless. The synopsis - a story of a young white journalist documenting the experiences of black maids in 60's smalltown America - did sound too promising I must confess.

However, from the opening scenes I was enthralled - both because of the great performances and the inspiring and challenging themes explored. Prejudice. Courage. (In)justice. Affirmation. Oppression. Loving your enemies. Standing up for your beliefs. Lifting up the downtrodden. Loyalty. Independence. Social conditioning. The list is comprehensive - and there's plenty of humour thrown in for good measure too (including a never unwelcome poo gag!) It was emotional and powerful - and yes, I did have to choke back a few tears - but always felt like a genuine tale of ordinary people bravely trying to make a difference in their world. It was my biggest "movie surprise" since 'Made in Dagenham' (and the similarity doesn't exactly end there either).

Some critics have accused it of being over-sanitised, patronising and even manipulative - I believe there's a fine line between moving and manipulative (and that's usually in the eye of the beholder in my experience) and none of these accusations held water for me. It is just an inspiring story of defying convention to give others a hope and a future. A story about the importance of building up not tearing down. A story full of ordinary heroes trying to bring down injustices. Hmmm, reminds me of another inspiring story - one I'm very much a part of...

I can't imagine I'll be evolving my taste in films any time soon - you can't beat a bit of violent carnage at the cinema - but if this is what Michelle's books are all like, maybe I should pay a little closer attention?!

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."