March 10, 2012

The casting quandary #3

One of the biggest sources of contention for fans, when their favourite books are adapted to film, is whether the cast lives up to their expectations.

Does the main character suit the author’s description?

Is the lead man everything that you imagined him to be?

The film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help has received critical acclaim for its casting. Viola Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Aibileen Clark, and Octavia Spencer won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Minny Jackson.

What do you think? Were you as enamored with the casting as the Academy?


Elizabeth Leefolt is described as: “She not just frowning all the time, she skinny. Her legs is so spindly, she look like she done growed em last week. Twenty-three years old and she lanky as a fourteen-year-old boy. Even her hair is thin, brown, see-through. She try to tease it up, but it only make it look thinner. Her face be the same shape as that red devil on the redhot candy box, pointy chin and all.”



Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is described as: “Real tall and skinny. Her hair be yellow and cut short above her shoulders cause she get frizz all year round… She wearing a white lace blouse buttoned up like a nun, flat shoes so I reckon she don’t look any taller. Her blue skirt gaps open in the waist. Miss Skeeter always look like somebody else told her what to wear.”



Hilly Holbrook is described as: “Miss Hilly got a round face and dark brown hair in the beehive. Her skin be alive colour, with freckles and moles. She wear a lot of red plaid. She getting heavy in the bottom. Today, since it’s so hot, she wearing a red sleeveless dress with no waist to it. She one a those grown ladies that still dress like a little girl with big bows and matching hats and such. She ain’t my favourite.”



Minny Jackson is described as: “Minny short and big, got shiny black curls… Minny could probably lift this bus up over her head if she wanted to.”



Aibileen Clark is described as: “Aibileen smiles at me from the sink, her gold tooth shining. She’s a little plump in the middle, but it is a friendly softness… Her skin is dark brown and shiny against her starchy white uniform. Her eyebrows are gray even though her hair is black.”



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