The long-anticipated movie version of the best-selling book 'The Help' finally hit theaters in August of 2011, and, not surprisingly, it's filled with great quotes. From the humor of Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) to the wisdom of Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and the persistence of Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) - the young, very green writer determined to tell their stories to the world - 'The Help' offers poignant, memorable quotes that echo those in Kathryn Stockett's novel. These women blaze a dangerous trail, daring to expose the racial injustices the black maids suffer at the hands of their white employers in the early-1960s in Jackson, Mississippi. If you're a fan and you don't see your favorite 'The Help' quotes on this list, feel free to add them!
‘The Help’ debuted very strong at the U.S. box office, taking in more than $26 million in its opening weekend. The movie stayed strong in coming weeks, securing the number one spot for several more weeks, outperforming initial box office expectations. The movie was buoyed by generally favorable reviews and strong word-of-mouth, as moviegoers passed the word along that it was a great film. By mid-September of 2011, ‘The Help’ had earned well over $147 million domestically.
If you're interested in quotes from other blockbuster movies, check out our quotes pages for 'Moneyball,' 'Contagion,' 'Friends With Benefits,' 'Crazy Stupid Love,' ’I Don’t Know How She Does It’ ’Dolphin Tale,’ ’What’s Your Number.’ 'One Day' and ’50/50.’
The Help Movie Quotes,
Godless
Aibileen: (to Hilly) "You're a Godless woman."
Aibileen's anger is never more apparent than when she utters this line to Hilly. Her devastation is understandable (for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie, we'll skip telling you why).
Kind, Smart and Important
Aibileen Clark (to Mae Mobley): "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
Scandalous
Missus Walters: "You should read the book, it's quite scandalous - sounds like Jackson if you ask me."
Missus Walters (Sissy Spacek) is spot on. Skeeter did change a few things in her book - but it's pretty obvious who she's writing about. Hilly isn't going to be happy...
Bringing Back Courage
Charlotte Phelan: "Courage sometimes skips a generation. Thank you for bringing it back to our family."
I'm Gonna Do It
Minny: "Alright, I'm gonna do it. But I need to make sure she understands this ain't no game we're playing here." (to Skeeter) "Slide your chair out from under that table, face me. I need to see you square on at all times." (sits) "I got to come up with your questions, too?!"
Again, Minny offers a small bit of comic relief, even though the subject matter is deadly serious. Skeeter, not surprisingly, is shocked that she's finally willing to come forth and talk to her.
Can't Forget
Missus Walters: "I may have trouble rememberin' my own name, or what country I live in. But there's two things I can't seem to forget. That my own daughter threw me into a nursin' home and that she ate Minny's sh*t. Good night."
Done It Now
Aibileen: "We've gone done it now."
Yes Aibileen, you have. With the help of your fellow maids, and Skeeter, you've put your story out for everyone to read - including the residents of Jackson. Brave, and dangerous.
We Love Them and They Love Us
Skeeter: "I was raised by a colored woman. We love them and they love us - but they can't even use the toilets in our houses."
Skeeter sums up the crux of 'The Help' nicely in this one, simple quote.
Miss Hilly Holbrook
Skeeter: "What changed your mind?"
Aibileen: "God. And Miss Hilly Holbrook."
Aibileen Clark has spent her entire life working as a maid for families in the segregated South - and she, like many of the other housekeepers, is initially terrified of telling her story to Skeeter. Understandable, given the time.
Lost Your Mind
Hilly (to Minny): "Have you lost your mind?!"
Minny: "No ma'am. But you about to..."
Minny Jackson definitely has some of the funniest lines in the movie (as she did in the book), including this zinger.