“The Help,” starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard, is based on the book by Kathryn Stockett.

When Skeeter (Stone) writes a book about hired help in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s, Aibileen (Davis) helps her. They secretly meet so that Skeeter can write about Aibileen’s experiences as a servant. Hilly Holbrook, the villain of the movie (Howard), campaigns against bathroom use by African- American maids in homes where they work after her own maid uses the Holbrook family bathroom.

“The Help” deals with controversial subjects during a chaotic period of our nation’s history. The movie is a solid drama about acceptance and the serious issues of segregation and civil rights in the 1960s. Davis and Stone deliver excellent performances as their characters make viewers laugh and cry.

“The Help” is rated PG-13 for thematic material. This movie is appropriate for teenagers and young adults who want to learn about an historic time in the United States.