2011 was all about hidden female talent coming out of the woodwork. There's Rooney Mara, Emma Stone, Melissa McCarthy, Jennifer Lawrence, the list goes on and on. But one actress in particular automatically stands out in my mind: the brilliantly vivacious (and hilarious) Octavia Spencer, as the sassy maid Minnie Jackson in The Help. And while the movie is a cinematic gem all by itself, Spencer's memorable humor and spot-on delivery, helped make it one of the most must-see films of the year.
Normally one might find it intimidating to be working with the likes of Emma Stone and Viola Davis, but Spencer showed the world she's an entertainment force to be reckoned with as well. Her character provided ample amounts of comedic humor to a normally serious storyline, while still successfully portraying the seriousness of the situation. We all remember from our history books how difficult it was for the African American community back then, and Spencer does an amazing job in personalizing the problem and making the audience invested in her character. Minnie may have been poorly treated and under appreciated, but that doesn't mean she was just going to roll over and take it. This girl's got spunk and lots of it (we all remember that hysterical pie scene), further proving just how sweet payback can be if you have the right recipe, so to speak. And thanks to Spencer's admirable portrayal, we were more than willing to root for her every step of the way.
While Spencer's character is delightful enough to watch for her snappy comebacks and outspoken candor alone, her role goes far beyond just comedic relief. A lot of weight lies on Spencer's shoulders—not only does she have to make us care about her character, but an entire race as well. I mean, if we weren't invested in her character's victories and dilemmas, the overall message of the movie would've suffered. However, Spencer was more than up to the task and continually made her character's development intriguing and inspiring. Her constant struggle to take care of her children, her courage to voice the truth about her dire working conditions, her relationship between her old boss and her new boss were all major factors in what made the film such a huge success—and it couldn't have been done without her. Spencer adds enough personality and raw emotion to draw us into the story, making us want what she wants. Suffice to say, the movie just would not have been the same without her unique influence.
Yes, Octavia Spencer is the cream of the acting crop and even if you don't recognize her by name, you should at least recognize her craft. She may have been cast as a supporting role, but her performance qualified for leading lady material and it's time Hollywood took notice.
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