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Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard and more discuss bringing a beloved bestseller to the big screen
By Geoff Berkshire, Metromix
"The Help" was one of those books that seems to come out of nowhere and spread like wildfire among the reading public. Published in 2009, the book held steady on the bestseller list for over 100 weeks and still attracts new fans today.
Hollywood acted fast to scoop up the rights and bring the '60s-set story of African-American maids caring for the homes and families of white women to the screen. But first-time author Kathryn Stockett didn't want just anyone in charge. She only trusted her longtime friend and fellow Mississippian Tate Taylor to write and direct, making this his first major studio movie.
He assembled a superb cast, including rising star Emma Stone, Oscar nominee Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Oscar winner Sissy Spacek and two of his close personal friends: Octavia Spencer (who inspired one of Stockett's most important characters) and Allison Janney.
That's a lot of great actresses, and we heard from all of them—plus Taylor and Stockett—about what it was like to bring this unique project to the screen.
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