The Help Movie Screening at BlogHer

We were pretty excited about being invited to attend a Disney Movie Studios screening during BlogHer.  We saw a Dreamworks’ picture, The Help, which is based on a bestselling novel last Saturday.  The movie, and the event, did not disappoint!

The Movie

This movie is a story about women in the 1960’s south and the complex relationships between black maids and the white women who hired them.  It is set in Jackson, Mississippi.

The main characters are Skeeter, Abileen, and Minnie.  Skeeter is a white woman who recently graduated from college and who wants a career in journalism.  Unlike her childhood friends, she went to college to graduate, not find a husband.

Abileen is a middle-aged maid who has raised 17 white children yet lost her only child.  She is strong, and until prompted by Skeeter, silent about the injustices she sees every day.

Minnie is in her early 30’s and a more outspoken person.  She gets fired by Hilly, Skeeter’s friend when the movie starts, and finds an unlikely friend at her next employer.  Minnie struggles with raising five children in an oppressive work life and family life; her husband abuses her.  I almost forgot to mention, she is known as the best cook in the state!

Review

It’s always a challenge to make a movie based on a successful book.  It can be done well like the Harry Potter movies or horribly ( we won’t name those!).  Having recently completed the book, I felt the movie kept true to the story although the timeline was accelerated so the story could be told in a couple of hours.

My only complaint was that the movie didn’t explain why Skeeter’s friend Elizabeth wasn’t the best mom.

To see all three women gain insight into each other and courage to tell their story is amazing.  I was a little saddened to know stories just like theirs happened during my lifetime yet heartened at the same time to know we’ve come so far in a few decades.

Be prepared to laugh…and cry.   I was blubbering before the finale which is the real tear-jerker.  If you’re on the fence about seeing this movie, just go.  It is well worth your time and money.

The Event

When we checked in at the theater, we received a coupon for a popcorn and drink to enjoy while watching the movie.  Then each seat had a gift bag containing a fan, a tin of The Help inspired Caramel Cake Black Tea by Republic of Tea.  Caramel Cake was Minny’s specialty dessert.

The bag also contained a cute purse sized mirror that had a built-in nail file on the other side  with the movie’s poster image.

Unfortunately, we had to leave before the after movie treats of  Help-inspired cocktails by Snake Oil Cocktail Co. and desserts by Campine Catering.  I heard they were great!  I’m definitely going to have to make the Skeeter some day.

The “Skeeter:”

Sweet, strong and a little spicy.

Ingredients:
1 oz. José Cuervo’s Platino silver tequila
1/2 oz. Patron Citronge Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
1/2 orange, squeezed
2 thin jalapeño slices

Directions:
1. Add all ingredients, except one jalapeño slice, into a cocktail
shaker and shake with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar. Garnish with
floating jalapeño slices.

The “Aibileen:”
Subtle, smooth and strong.

Ingredients:
1/2 oz amaretto
1 1/2 oz Kahlua
1 oz cream

Directions:
1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass.

The “Minny:”
Strong, with a kick.

Ingredients:
2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
1 oz. Cointreau
2 Dashes Lemon Juice
1 Dash Simple Syrup

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in an iced shaker for 10-seconds and strain over
crushed ice in a lowball glass.
2. Top with crushed ice.

Disclosure: We were provided free entry to the screening with popcorn and a soft drink and a gift bag described above. All opinions are 100% mine.  This post was originally published at Two Savvy Sisters which is no longer active.