RIP IT UP MOVIE CLUB: The Help, Jane Eyre, Friends With Benefits

Hey film buffs,
Welcome back to the Rip It Up Movie Club. This week I check out a highly anticipated drama featuring one of the hottest young talents in Hollywood, a remake of an old classic and what appears to be a remake of a not-so-classic romcom from earlier this year.

Enjoy!
 

The Help

In only his second feature film, director Tate Taylor (previously best known as a “bit” actor) is at the helm of what promises to be one of the more inspiring dramas of 2011.

Starring America’s latest sweetheart Emma Stone (Easy A) and Viola Davis (Eat Pray Love), the film is set in the southern states of the U.S. during the 1960’s. Stone stars as Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan, a graduate who returns from college in the hopes of becoming a writer and upsets the societal balance when she decides to interview the African American women who have spent their lives taking care of wealthy white American families.

Stone has proven in the past that she is an actress of immense talent (she even managed to come out of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past unscathed), so you’d have to think that by throwing her into a strong heartfelt story like this, you are going to come out with a winner. Might be best to pack your tissues for this one.

The Help is out on September 8th.

Jane Eyre

Originally published in 1847, Charlotte Bronte’s beloved romance has seen more than its fair share of adaptations take to the big screen. Arguably the most famous version is Robert Stevenson’s 1943 take featuring Joan Fontaine in the title role opposite the enigmatic Orson Welles as Edward Rochester.

For those uninitiated, Jane Eyre tells the tale of a young orphan who, after overcoming a bleak childhood, is sent off to become the Governess of Thornfield Hall; owned by the dark, mysterious Mr.  Rochester.

As Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic master of the house, the two form a bond as Jane falls for her employer. However, as Jane becomes closer to the Rochester, she uncovers a disturbing secret that could see her life unravel.

Commonly regarded as one the greatest gothic stories ever written, Jane Eyre features a superb balance of mystery, horror and romance.
Director Cary Fukunaga’s 2011 rendition will feature rising star Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) as the tortured-soul Jane, whilst the marvellous Michael Fassbender (X-men: First Class) will step into the role of Mr. Rochester.

Jane Eyre is out on September 9th.

Friends With Benefits

Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman star as two friends who find out that adding sex to their relationship does in fact bear consequences… wait a minute… whoops my bad… that was No Strings Attached.

But if you missed the Kutcher and Portman version, or if you’re one of those people who tend to steer clear of products containing traces of Kelso, don’t despair; Friends with Benefits features Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis as two friends who find out that adding sex to their relationship does in fact… well you know the rest.

While there are obviously parallels to the two films (weird: both films contain That 70’s Show alumni, down-right-eerie: Black Swan co-stars Portman and Kunis both decided to follow it up with No Strings Attached and Friends with Benefits respectively), the difference between the two films might just come down to the director at the helm.

While No Strings Attached was guided by renowned comedy director Ivan Reitman (My Super Ex Girlfriend) who ensured a familiar style of blatant and physical comedy, Friends with Benefits is in the hands of relatively new director Will Gluck, whose limited filmography contains edgy comedy Easy A, suggesting a more subtle, dry style of humour.

If you enjoyed No Strings Attached, or if you missed it, this could be a good one to check out.

Friends with Benefits is out on September 15th.

By Shane Drought