Arriving in theaters this week amid a groundswell of rapturous buzz is The Help, Disney/Dreamworks’ adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel about three women living in pre-civil rights-era Jackson, Mississippi, who collaborate on a secret literary project. Much of the reason for that buzz is the film’s cast, which includes such formidable talents as Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard and Octavia Spencer – all of whom are at the top of their game in the film, helping to craft a story that resonates deeply without ever succumbing to sentiment.
We sat down recently with the stars of The Help, as well as its director-screenwriter, Tate Taylor, and his childhood friend, Stockett, to talk about the process of bringing the beloved novel to life on the big screen:
Tate Taylor and Kathryn Stockett
Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain
Bryce Dallas Howard
Emma Stone and Viola Davis