“The Help,” a movie based off the New York Times’ best selling book by Kathryn Stockett, looks into the racially charged period of the 1960’s from the viewpoint of the help, those servants working for white families at the time.

“The Help” combines comedic timing with strong racial injustices to reveal the unfair politics of that period that are unbeknownst to younger generations.

Viola Davis shines in her role as Aibileen Clark, a maid in Jackson Miss., who despite the death of her own son, still musters the strength to take care of her white employer’s child.

Through Aibileen, Davis reveals the unjust lot of an African American woman in the South. Emma Stone gives a stellar performance as Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a young college graduate who longs to be a journalist despite the constant pressures of marriage from her overbearing mother.

Skeeter, a friend of Aibileen, uses her writing to be the voice of these stifled African American maids and shines light on injustices while also finding herself in the process.

“The Help” uses comedy to give the movie a more lighthearted feel despite the very serious racial undertones, and allows viewers to relate to these struggling women. Director Tate Taylor encompasses what it was like to be in the South during this period and magnifies issues that may be taboo in our generation.

The Help is a wonderful movie that will make you laugh, cry and really contemplate the strides that we have made as a society.