2009
In 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, aspiring writer Skeeter Phelan decides to expose racial inequality by secretly writing a book from the perspective of black maids, beginning with Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson. This dangerous project gains momentum as more maids contribute their stories, risking their safety, especially from the formidable Hilly Holbrook, who advocates for segregated facilities. The anonymously published book, "The Help," becomes a local sensation, prompting the white community to identify the maids and Hilly to realize the infamous "terrible awful" pie story is about her. Ultimately, Skeeter moves to New York, Aibileen finds her voice to pursue writing after being falsely fired, and Minny secures a new, appreciative employer, as the maids' collective stories empower them and challenge the town's social order.
Save the Cat beat sheet
In 1960s Jackson, Skeeter seeks to write a book giving voice to her black maids.
Open full beat sheetEugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan is listed as Writer. 23, tall, frizzy blond hair, aspiring writer. In the parsed data, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan is connected to 45 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
45 scenes / 16 dialogue linesAibileen Clark is listed as Maid. Black, 53, wise, experienced maid who has raised seventeen children. In the parsed data, Aibileen Clark is connected to 35 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
35 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMinny Jackson is listed as Maid. 33, black, plump, best cook in Mississippi, Aibileen's best friend. In the parsed data, Minny Jackson is connected to 31 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
31 scenes / 7 dialogue linesHilly Holbrook is listed as Socialite. 22, white, hefty, round face, beehive hair, leader of the Junior League. In the parsed data, Hilly Holbrook is connected to 26 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
26 scenes / 8 dialogue linesCelia Foote is listed as Socialite. 28, peroxide blonde, Johnny's wife, insecure, from Sugar Ditch. In the parsed data, Celia Foote is connected to 21 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
21 scenes / 6 dialogue linesStuart Whitworth is listed as Oil Man. Handsome, Senator's son, Skeeter's love interest. In the parsed data, Stuart Whitworth is connected to 13 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
13 scenes / 4 dialogue linesElizabeth Leefolt is listed as Socialite. 21, lanky, Mae Mobley's mother, Hilly's friend. In the parsed data, Elizabeth Leefolt is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCharlotte Phelan is listed as Skeeter's Mother. 50, obsessed with social standing and appearance, wears wigs. In the parsed data, Charlotte Phelan is connected to 8 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
8 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMae Mobley Leefolt is listed as Child. 2 1/2 years old, Elizabeth's daughter. In the parsed data, Mae Mobley Leefolt is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 51.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesYule May is listed as Maid. 45, tall, graceful, works for Hilly. In the parsed data, Yule May is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 33.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesConstantine Jefferson is listed as Former Maid. 50, black, raised Skeeter, honey-colored eyes.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAibileen is interviewed by an unseen woman about her life as a maid.
Aibileen ClarkAibileen cares for Mae Mobley and interacts with Elizabeth Leefolt.
Aibileen Clark, Elizabeth Leefolt, Mae Mobley LeefoltSkeeter interviews for a job with Mr. Blackly.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter gets hired to write a cleaning advice column.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanHilly marks toilet paper with a pencil.
Hilly HolbrookMinny interacts with Missus Walters.
Minny JacksonAibileen potty trains Mae Mobley.
Aibileen Clark, Elizabeth Leefolt, Mae Mobley LeefoltAibileen prepares for bridge club.
Aibileen Clark, Elizabeth LeefoltMinny and Aibileen talk about Hilly.
Aibileen Clark, Minny JacksonBridge club meeting.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth LeefoltAibileen answers a phone call from Celia Foote.
Aibileen Clark, Celia FooteCelia and Johnny interact in the yard.
Celia FooteSkeeter asks Aibileen for help with her column.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter drives and has a fantasy.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter visits Constantine's old home.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter visits Constantine's empty house, finds an old corn pipe, and gets startled by an opossum.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter arrives at her family home and greets Jameso.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter enters the house and calls for her mother.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanSkeeter confronts Charlotte about Constantine while trying on a dress.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte PhelanTensions rise at dinner when Skeeter asks about Constantine.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte PhelanSkeeter interviews Aibileen for the first time, discussing the book project and Aibileen's son Treelore.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanThe interview continues as Aibileen shares stories about her past.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanAibileen whispers to Yule May during service while Minny watches.
Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, Yule MayHilly presents the Home Health Sanitation Initiative to the Junior League.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth LeefoltHilly pressures Skeeter about her upcoming date.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Hilly HolbrookMinny instructs her daughter Sugar on the rules of working for white families.
Minny JacksonMinny arrives for her first day of work at Celia Foote's house.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteMinny assesses the state of the Foote kitchen.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteCharlotte helps Skeeter prepare for her date.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte PhelanHilly, William, and Stuart socialize while Yule May serves drinks. Skeeter arrives disheveled after hitting a cat.
Hilly Holbrook, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart Whitworth, Yule MayHilly helps Skeeter fix her hair and makeup before the dinner date.
Hilly Holbrook, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanThe group dines while Stuart and Skeeter clash over her writing career.
Hilly Holbrook, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart Whitworth, Celia FooteYule May asks Hilly for a loan to help her sons with college tuition, but Hilly refuses.
Hilly Holbrook, Yule MayMinny and Aibileen observe Celia Foote shopping and discuss social boundaries.
Minny Jackson, Aibileen Clark, Celia FooteAibileen and Minny continue their conversation while waiting for the bus.
Aibileen Clark, Minny JacksonA baby shower is held; Hilly confronts Aibileen about the new bathroom.
Aibileen Clark, Hilly Holbrook, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Elizabeth Leefolt, Mae Mobley LeefoltHilly confronts Skeeter about the Jim Crow booklet.
Hilly Holbrook, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Yule MayYule May finds a ruby ring while cleaning.
Yule MayStuart visits Skeeter; Charlotte is impressed by his lineage.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte Phelan, Stuart WhitworthStuart apologizes to Skeeter; they agree to go to dinner.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart WhitworthStuart and Skeeter have a successful date.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart WhitworthElizabeth punishes Mae Mobley for using the outdoor toilet.
Elizabeth Leefolt, Mae Mobley Leefolt, Aibileen ClarkHilly discovers fifty toilets on her lawn.
Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth Leefolt, Aibileen Clark, Mae Mobley LeefoltAibileen and Minny react to the news of Medgar Evers' death.
Aibileen Clark, Minny JacksonAibileen and Minny discuss the risks of their project and their fear of Hilly.
Aibileen Clark, Minny JacksonElaine Stein sees the newspaper article about Hilly's toilets.
Stuart laughs at the news about Hilly and writes to Skeeter.
Stuart WhitworthHilly confronts Skeeter about the toilet incident and threatens her.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Hilly HolbrookMinny discovers Celia in distress in the bathroom.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteMinny cares for Celia after her miscarriage.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteAibileen celebrates Mae Mobley's birthday.
Aibileen Clark, Mae Mobley LeefoltCelia buries the remains of her miscarriage.
Celia FooteMinny teaches Celia how to play bridge.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteHilly is elected editor and ostracizes Skeeter.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Hilly HolbrookSkeeter lies to her mother about the bridge club.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte PhelanCelia attempts to visit the bridge club and is humiliated.
Aibileen Clark, Hilly Holbrook, Elizabeth Leefolt, Celia FooteMinny and Celia discuss the bridge club incident.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteMinny hides while Johnny chases Celia.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteSkeeter learns about Yule May's imprisonment.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Minny Jackson, Yule MayFlashback of Hilly discussing Yule May's theft.
Aibileen Clark, Hilly HolbrookMaids offer to help Skeeter with her book.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Minny JacksonInterviews with maids.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanGretchen confronts Skeeter.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanAibileen celebrates her birthday.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanStuart and Skeeter are caught by Charlotte.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Charlotte Phelan, Stuart WhitworthNews of JFK's assassination.
Minny faints upon hearing the news of JFK.
Minny Jackson, Celia FooteHilly reacts to the news of JFK.
Hilly HolbrookMaids mourn JFK.
Aibileen ClarkSkeeter and Stuart watch the funeral.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart WhitworthMinny reveals the 'terrible awful' to Skeeter and Aibileen.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Minny JacksonFlashback of Minny feeding Hilly the pie.
Minny Jackson, Hilly HolbrookMinny insists the pie story be included in the book.
Aibileen Clark, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Minny JacksonSkeeter talks to Miss Stein about the deadline.
Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanThe benefit ball begins.
Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, Hilly HolbrookThe African Children's Benefit Ball is underway; Hilly is interviewed by Jolene, while Minny, Aibileen, and the Footes attend.
Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, Hilly Holbrook, Celia Foote, Stuart Whitworth, Eugenia 'Skeeter' PhelanCelia interacts with Elizabeth and Jolene near the punch bowl.
Celia Foote, Elizabeth LeefoltHilly speaks at the podium while guests dine.
Hilly Holbrook, Celia Foote, Minny JacksonHilly confronts Johnny at the bar.
Hilly Holbrook, Stuart WhitworthJolene announces the auction winners, leading to a confrontation between Hilly and Celia.
Hilly Holbrook, Celia Foote, Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, Stuart WhitworthYou are sick. Do not speak to me. Do not look at me. Don't say hello to my children. How long had you been planning to humiliate my family?
I told you...she went to live with her people in Chicago...Now, Skeeter, your mother is dying, and she wants to see you in this dress.
This is Jolene French reporting from the African Children's Benefit Ball, and I'm here with League President Miss Hilly Holbrook.
I've wanted to talk to you all night. Minny told me why you won't be my friend. You think me and Johnny went behind your back.
I don't believe in lines anymore. Lines is in our heads 'cause people like Miss Hilly try to make us believe they there.
I told her not to write you. I didn't want you upset in the middle of final exams. Honey, we were just a job to her.
Do you think I might have overdressed a little? It's supposed to be formal, but this looks like a funeral.
Are you...do you...find men attractive? Are you having unnatural thoughts about... Girls or...or women?
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