The Help was overlooked at the Golden Globes but made up for it at the Screen Actors Guild awards today, winning three of the five film awards on offer.
Viola Davis — who played downtrodden maid Aibileen Clark in the movie — beat big guns Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams to win the best actress award.
Octavia Spencer took home supporting actress trophy for her portrayal of Aibileen’s feisty friend Minny Jackson.
The movie also won the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award, which was jointly awarded to Viola, Octavia, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard and the rest of the cast.
The Help only received one Golden Globe, the best supporting actress award that went to Octavia Spencer.
The film is nominated for four Academy Awards, including best film, best actress and two nominations for best supporting actress.
The actor awards went to The Artist’s Jean Dujardin and Beginners’ Christopher Plummer.
Kate Winslet was recognised for her performance in TV miniseries Mildred Pierce, while Paul Giamatti’s work in Too Big To Fail won him the male actor in a TV movie or miniseries award.
Winners at the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:
Cast in a Motion Picture: The Help
Female Actor in a Leading Role: Viola Davis, The Help
Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Female Actor in a Television Movie Or Miniseries: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Male Actor in a Television Movie Or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail
Ensemble in a Drama Series: Boardwalk Empire
Female Actor in a Drama Series: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Male Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Modern Family
Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Betty White, Hot In Cleveland
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Tyler Moore
