The Help pairs two of my favorite things: comic actresses and overblown, rootin'-tootin' Southern accents. Unfortunately, they seem to form a cliched, self-serious mix in this new clip from the upcoming film (based on Kathryn Stockett's book about African-American maids working in white households), as Emma Stone and Allison Janney forfeit their knack for punchlines, and fight for the title of Yosemite Samantha using their insane drawls.
Tags:Movie Trailers, Movies Blog
Was that not a perfect storm of every Southern lady stereotype? Zipping up dresses? Uttering, "Jus' show a lil' gumption"? Poutin'? Tennessee Williams is chafing in his plaid burial suit, rolling over, and trying to wake up Elizabeth Taylor for a formal protest. Allison Janney, we love you too much for this! Emma Stone, we've liked you too much for this! I'm handing all responsibilities for this movie's success over to Octavia Spencer, who is playing a character that was literally written for her.
Verdict: Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.