In light of the recent killing of George Floyd and the worldwide protests, “The Help” has become the most-streamed movie on Netflix the past week, but reaction to that news has been that of backlash and disappointment because, well, much like “Driving Miss Daisy,” Tate Taylor’s Oscar-winning film sugarcoats racism. And now, “The Help” actress Bryce Dallas Howard is joining that fray, talking about the film, but also giving counterprogramming suggestions.
Viola Davis, Howard’s co-star in “The Help,” has admitted that she regrets taking the role in the film, but, now it’s Howard turn to be bashing her own film:
“I’m so grateful for the exquisite friendships that came from that film (“The Help”) — our bond is something I treasure deeply and will last a lifetime,” she explained in a Facebook post. “This being said, ‘The Help’ is a fictional story told through the perspective of a white character and was created by predominantly white storytellers. We can all go further.”
She added, “Stories are a gateway to radical empathy and the greatest ones are catalysts for action. If you are seeking ways to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, lynchings, segregation, Jim Crow, and all the ways in which those have an impact on us today…”
Howard then went on to list better black films that are “powerful, essential, masterful,” including “13th,” “Eyes on the Prize,” “I am Not Your Negro,” “Just Mercy,” “Malcom X,” “Say Her Name: The Life And Death Of Sandra Bland,” “Selma,” “Watchmen,” and “When They See Us.”
I'm going to say what a lot of people think, and won't say out loud: I don't believe Tom Holland can be a movie star outside of Spider-Man. That's been my genuine hunch for a few years now.