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Movie Poster

Helen

On the surface, Helen appears to have it all—a loving family and a thriving career—but when her repressed mental illness resurfaces, her world begins to crumble. Depression cripples her, and she finds solace in a deep friendship with Mathilda, a kindred spirit who also battles bipolar disorder.

Director(s)

Sandra Nettelbeck

Rachel Leiterman

Debra Herst

Steven A. Adelson

Bonnie Benwick

Cast & Crew

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd

Helen

Malcolm Stewart

Malcolm Stewart

Judge Wilkens

Ian Thompson

Ian Thompson

Bus Driver (uncredited)

Alberta Watson

Alberta Watson

Dr. Sherman

Veena Sood

Veena Sood

Defense Attorney

Ken Kramer

Ken Kramer

Dr. Donahue

Jonathan Holmes

Jonathan Holmes

Thief (uncredited)

Goran Višnjić

Goran Višnjić

David

David James Lewis

David James Lewis

Dr. Barnes (as David Lewis)

Chelah Horsdal

Chelah Horsdal

Kara

John Shaw

John Shaw

Prosecutor

Sunita Prasad

Sunita Prasad

Psych Nurse #3

Conrad Coates

Conrad Coates

Stephen

Debra Herst

Debra Herst

-

Ali Liebert

Ali Liebert

Donna

BJ Harrison

BJ Harrison

Head Nurse

David Hewlett

David Hewlett

Frank

Lauren Lee Smith

Lauren Lee Smith

Mathilda

Alexia Fast

Alexia Fast

Julie

Rachel Leiterman

Rachel Leiterman

-

Adrian Hough

Adrian Hough

ER Doctor

Leah Cairns

Leah Cairns

Susanna

David Quinlan

David Quinlan

Dan

Sandra Nettelbeck

Sandra Nettelbeck

-

Bonnie Benwick

Bonnie Benwick

-

Chaz Chamberlain

Chaz Chamberlain

Man on Pier

David Nykl

David Nykl

John

Vanessa Burns

Vanessa Burns

Mother (uncredited)

Mylène Dinh-Robic

Mylène Dinh-Robic

Psych Nurse #2

Alex Stevens

Alex Stevens

Woman

Rob Heschl

Rob Heschl

Maire'd

Robin Nielsen

Robin Nielsen

Stranger

Julia Keilty

Julia Keilty

Psych Nurse #1

Hyuma Frankowski

Hyuma Frankowski

Male Student

Carlo Fanella

Carlo Fanella

Police Officer

Terence Lewis

Terence Lewis

Father

Rhonda Onstad

Rhonda Onstad

Mother

Leigh Bourque

Leigh Bourque

Daughter (as Leah Bourke)

Daisy Lippa

Daisy Lippa

Young Julie

Terry Lewis

Terry Lewis

Father

Grace Bauer

Grace Bauer

Store Employee (uncredited)

Steven A. Adelson

Steven A. Adelson

-

Details

GenresDrama
Runtime2h 0 mins
Released on26 Nov 2009
Languageen
Produced InCanada
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Reviews

BornKnight

6/10

This movie was mostly a tough watch because it is something I lived with - the great and only part that deserves a view and that give to it a 3 stars is the performance of Ashley Judd and actress than than Jean and Marilyn series, didn't shine of so many movies. Her role is just pure anguish to someone that had similar diagnoses to the ones that her character pass on the movie (Major Depression with psychotic symptoms and a light bipolar disturb). Probably her best role in any work she had done, that shows easily the anguish, sometimes semeling without cause and the masks we have to use dya thought day to be in a "normal" life. Also it have and explanation as Judd (and multi-activist) herself had major depression thought her life that isn't something that you can "cure" overnight, you just learn to cope with it. She lived a troubled life thought her youth and entered major rehabilitation in 2006 - and now with the suicide of her mother in 2022 (yes, in many cases it is something that runs through the family). The major flaws probably are by Sandra Nettelbeck, the german writer and director - herself a depression survivor - mostly know by "Mostly Martha" (2001) and somelighter movies. The story could be a lot better written and the choice of Goran Visnjic (lately seen in some series and in Hellraiser remake) as a lovely husband that tries to cope with the situation isn't the best, and the choice of support that only someone that passed thought that can understand what it is is a partial true - because lot's of people can understand that by empathy even didn't really lived depression. As a whole it is something that I can only recommend to someone that wants to see what is to live with major depression (even if we don't "read" what is going inside the protagonist head) - painful to see as real as it can be. I imagine this TV movie (it seems to be because of some black screen change in some sequences) in the hands of a most skilled writer and director what t could be with Ashely and her acting. If taken most seriously it could be a contender for best actress. Overall for her work a 6,0 out of 10,0 / C+.

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Helen trailer (HD - Best Quality)
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