The Help (2011)

A heartfelt drama about the civil rights movement, The Help follows Skeeter, a headstrong, young, white woman who interviews several black maids in order to publish a book about their unjust experiences. Slow for the first half - even a little unravelled - the film eventually composes itself and finds its niche. From a modern day perspective, it becomes incredibly difficult not to simplify the characters as one of two types of people during this period: the empathetic good and the psychopathic evil. This is probably inevitable given the subject matter. The soundtrack is carefully chosen and while it is under-utilised this works as too much music would detract from the tone of the film. Definitely engaging by the time the curtain closes and worthy of a few viewings.

8.5/10

Drive (2011)

Two parts drama to one part action, Drive is an unusual film about a shy/awkward guy who's a part time mechanic and stuntman by day and a getaway driver by night. Packed with a new-age synthy soundtrack, it has a dream sequence feel to it for the first half and then takes a sudden swerve into vendettas and mob violence much like the change of pace in The Departed. The dialogue is terse, like our driver, as we meet his love interest, Irene, next door and unravel the pair's sets of problems.The soundtrack softens the film and is generally likeable, making the film more accessible for those less interested in the action side of things. It's a solid film yet it never fully connects with the viewer. Worth a few views all the same.

7.5/10