This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-15386597
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Why did The Help clean up at the US box office? | Why did The Help clean up at the US box office? |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Neil Smith Entertainment reporter, BBC News | By Neil Smith Entertainment reporter, BBC News |
The Help, a heart-tugging drama about black housekeepers working in 1960s Mississippi, was the surprise hit at US cinemas this summer. | The Help, a heart-tugging drama about black housekeepers working in 1960s Mississippi, was the surprise hit at US cinemas this summer. |
While other more fancied titles fell at the first, this modestly budgeted period piece - based on a best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett - romped home to top the North American box office chart for three consecutive weeks. | While other more fancied titles fell at the first, this modestly budgeted period piece - based on a best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett - romped home to top the North American box office chart for three consecutive weeks. |
Its takings in the US and Canada now stand in excess of $165m (£104.5m), prompting many in the industry to speculate on why it connected with audiences. | Its takings in the US and Canada now stand in excess of $165m (£104.5m), prompting many in the industry to speculate on why it connected with audiences. |
During a recent visit to London, its director and cast members offered their own theories on the film's unexpected success. | During a recent visit to London, its director and cast members offered their own theories on the film's unexpected success. |
"It shows that everyone wants a story," says Tate Taylor, an actor turned director who, prior to The Help, had only one feature film to his credit. | "It shows that everyone wants a story," says Tate Taylor, an actor turned director who, prior to The Help, had only one feature film to his credit. |
"They want to go somewhere and be transported and not rely on robots and computer generation." | "They want to go somewhere and be transported and not rely on robots and computer generation." |
Actress Viola Davis believes this holds particularly true with regards to an older audience she feels has been marginalised of late. | Actress Viola Davis believes this holds particularly true with regards to an older audience she feels has been marginalised of late. |
"The over-35 audience who are not into 3D and effects, the people who are just into real, old-fashioned storytelling - they have been neglected," she says. | "The over-35 audience who are not into 3D and effects, the people who are just into real, old-fashioned storytelling - they have been neglected," she says. |
Yet Davis, who plays a domestic servant persuaded by a young journalist to spill the beans about her demanding white employers, insists this is only part of the picture. | Yet Davis, who plays a domestic servant persuaded by a young journalist to spill the beans about her demanding white employers, insists this is only part of the picture. |
"The thing that really amazes me about this movie is the number of young men that have been moved by the story," she continues. | "The thing that really amazes me about this movie is the number of young men that have been moved by the story," she continues. |
"I think it's because they see their mothers [in the characters]. They see what they have contributed and given to create a life for them." | "I think it's because they see their mothers [in the characters]. They see what they have contributed and given to create a life for them." |
"It ended up being the 'four quadrant' film no-one expected," says Taylor, employing a marketing term often used to describe a film that appeals to people of both sexes aged both over and under 25. | |
"Last year The King's Speech and True Grit grossed in the high 100s and no-one expected that either." | |
The latter film, directed by the Coen brothers, made $171m (£109m) in the US, slightly more than the $138m (£87.8m) The King's Speech accrued. | The latter film, directed by the Coen brothers, made $171m (£109m) in the US, slightly more than the $138m (£87.8m) The King's Speech accrued. |
Overall, however, The King's Speech was the more profitable title, its worldwide takings exceeding $414m (£263m) compared to True Grit's $251m (£160m). | Overall, however, The King's Speech was the more profitable title, its worldwide takings exceeding $414m (£263m) compared to True Grit's $251m (£160m). |
Receptive | Receptive |
The Help was released towards the end of the summer season, a time generally considered to be more receptive to films aimed primarily at women. | The Help was released towards the end of the summer season, a time generally considered to be more receptive to films aimed primarily at women. |
In previous years, the likes of Julie and Julia and Eat Pray Love - released in the US and Canada on 7 August 2009 and 13 August 2010 respectively - have performed well in this slot. | In previous years, the likes of Julie and Julia and Eat Pray Love - released in the US and Canada on 7 August 2009 and 13 August 2010 respectively - have performed well in this slot. |
Yet the makers of The Help are less inclined to attribute its success to any larger socio-political changes in the US that may have occurred in the wake of President Barack Obama's election. | |
"I'd like to say that just to give you a little soundbite or whatever, but I really don't think there's any correlation," says Davis. | |
"I think people are always fascinated by race in America, only because it is as American as apple pie and hot dogs and baseball. | "I think people are always fascinated by race in America, only because it is as American as apple pie and hot dogs and baseball. |
"It's our dirty little secret. The only time people talk about it is when it's [an element in] a big money-making movie." | "It's our dirty little secret. The only time people talk about it is when it's [an element in] a big money-making movie." |
"I don't necessarily think they didn't want to [talk about race]," says Taylor, a native of Jackson, Mississippi who has known Stockett since childhood. "They had just forgotten they could and should. | "I don't necessarily think they didn't want to [talk about race]," says Taylor, a native of Jackson, Mississippi who has known Stockett since childhood. "They had just forgotten they could and should. |
"It's easy to sweep things under the rug and act like they've changed or gone away." | "It's easy to sweep things under the rug and act like they've changed or gone away." |
"But we have to have these discussions," chips in actress Olivia Spencer, who plays another maid - the forthright, opinionated Minny - in The Help. | "But we have to have these discussions," chips in actress Olivia Spencer, who plays another maid - the forthright, opinionated Minny - in The Help. |
"It would be great if people my niece's age didn't have to associate with what African-Americans have endured, but everyone should know about it." | "It would be great if people my niece's age didn't have to associate with what African-Americans have endured, but everyone should know about it." |
Awards contender? | Awards contender? |
The Help may have clicked with audiences across the Atlantic but it has left some critics non-plussed in the UK. | The Help may have clicked with audiences across the Atlantic but it has left some critics non-plussed in the UK. |
Film 2011 co-host Danny Leigh is among the naysayers, describing it as "at best syrupy and unconvincing, and at worst jaw-droppingly tasteless". | Film 2011 co-host Danny Leigh is among the naysayers, describing it as "at best syrupy and unconvincing, and at worst jaw-droppingly tasteless". |
With a female-dominated cast that also includes Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek and fast-rising star Jessica Chastain, however, it is nonetheless being tipped as a potential awards contender. | With a female-dominated cast that also includes Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek and fast-rising star Jessica Chastain, however, it is nonetheless being tipped as a potential awards contender. |
Are the people responsible already dusting down their DJs and picking out gowns in readiness for the red carpet? | Are the people responsible already dusting down their DJs and picking out gowns in readiness for the red carpet? |
"I can't help but recognise what a triumph it is to have this many actresses in a movie this successful," says Taylor. | "I can't help but recognise what a triumph it is to have this many actresses in a movie this successful," says Taylor. |
"But it seems ludicrous to speculate about the awards season. I don't want to give that kind of power to a fickle arena we're not in yet." | "But it seems ludicrous to speculate about the awards season. I don't want to give that kind of power to a fickle arena we're not in yet." |
"It's not something we can control and we're very mindful of that," says Spencer, an actress hitherto best known in her native US for her broadly comedic roles. | "It's not something we can control and we're very mindful of that," says Spencer, an actress hitherto best known in her native US for her broadly comedic roles. |
"If it becomes celebrated by different awards bodies we will be excited, but it's not something we expect." | "If it becomes celebrated by different awards bodies we will be excited, but it's not something we expect." |
"I don't know how to answer questions about Oscars," concludes Davis. "We'll see what happens, right? | "I don't know how to answer questions about Oscars," concludes Davis. "We'll see what happens, right? |
"But it's made $160m (£100m) in the States and the momentum is still going. That's bigger than awards, let me tell you." | "But it's made $160m (£100m) in the States and the momentum is still going. That's bigger than awards, let me tell you." |
The Help is out in the UK on 26 October. All figures from the Box Office Mojo website. | The Help is out in the UK on 26 October. All figures from the Box Office Mojo website. |
Previous version
1
Next version