The Help
We are into the top four favourite movies of the year now as that number one film creeps ever closer.
The Help was one of the most magnificent films to grace the big screen over the last twelve months and that has made number four on our countdown.
Kathryn Stockett's debut novel was a massive success when it was released back in 2009 and the film has been an even bigger hit bringing the story to a wider audience.
The Help seems to have been on every awards shortlist over the last few weeks and it really deserves to be as it is just a stunning piece of work from all involved.
An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960's decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.
This is a faithful adaptation of the popular novel that blends humour with emotion and heartbreak so effortlessly that you cannot help but get swept away in the story and the struggle.
It's very rare that a female ensemble cast it put together for a movie but this one really does work a treat - not to mention there are some terrific individual performances.
The standout actress is, without a shadow of a doubt, is Viola Davies who is simply magnificent as Aibileen - a character that she plays with such poise and dignity despite her daily struggle.
She is supported by Octavia L. Spencer and her no nonsense attitude provides many of the laughs.
Another great performance is the almost unrecognisable Jessica Chastain who, despite being a white woman, finds herself also on he edge of society.
This is another heartfelt performance as the character Celia is struggling to conceive and is hiding her many miscarriages from her husband.
Chastain is one of the most exciting actresses to have broken through this year and this emotional and humorous performance shows that she is someone that we should really watch out for.
The Help is a really refreshing movie and you won't have seen anything else like it this year.
It delivers a great message, without every being preachy, that the truth, no matter how difficult it is to tell or that repercussions it may bring, has the power to set you free.
This movie has picked up a whole host of Golden Globe nominations and I have my fingers crossed that this movie does well during the awards season as it really deserves to.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw