The Help (2011 Tate Taylor & scr)

This is about the gestation of the film. It's a great screenplay and very nicely balanced between the cruel and awful and the sweet and lovely. It's not just about racism either, but friendship, female independence and child-rearing.

It's an absolutely outstanding ensemble cast - there weren't enough places for them all to be nominated. The fact that Taylor was a former actor probably helped. Emma Stone's just great, easily herself could have been nominated. Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Ahna O'Reilly (Octavia's employer), Anna Camp (the one with the perfect hair), Chris Lowell, Cicely Tyson, Sissy Spacek, Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace), Eleanor and Emma Henry (the little girl - "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."), Aunjanue Ellis (her arrest is I think deliberately made to look very contemporary), Mary Steenbergen, Nelsan Ellis, Mike Vogel (Jessica's husband), David Oyelowo, Dana Ivey (Sleepless in Seattle, Two Weeks' Notice, Sabrina, Legally Blonde 2), Kelsey Scott, Brian Kerwin.

Q informs me these two are great friends

Taylor himself was born in Jackson, Mississippi, as did the author Kathryn Stockett (she's white, by the way).

Love the line delivered by Viola to O'Reilly: "You give my sweet girl a chance." Brilliant line - "my sweet girl..."

And Emma missing her step on the stairs with a little scream.