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Helen Poster

Helen

Recurence of mental illness cripples successful woman.
2009 | 120m | English

(2320 votes)

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Popularity: 4 (history)

Details

On the outside, Helen has it all – a loving family and a successful career – but when her suppressed mental illness resurfaces, the world crumbles around her. Crippled by depression, Helen finds solace through her friendship with Mathilda, a kindred spirit struggling with bipolar disorder.
Release Date: Nov 26, 2009
Director: Sandra Nettelbeck
Writer: Sandra Nettelbeck
Genres: Drama
Keywords depression, woman director
Production Companies Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Egoli Tossell Film, Insight Film Studios, Helen Productions
Box Office Revenue: $34,820
Budget: $8,000,000
Updates Updated: Feb 01, 2025
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
Trailers and Extras

Backdrops

International Posters

Full Credits

Name Character
Ashley Judd Helen
Goran Višnjić David
Lauren Lee Smith Mathilda
Alexia Fast Julie
Alberta Watson Dr. Sherman
Leah Cairns Susanna
David Hewlett Frank
David Nykl John
Chelah Horsdal Kara
Ali Liebert Donna
Conrad Coates Stephen
Alex Stevens Woman
Rob Heschl Maire'd
Robin Nielsen Stranger
Adrian Hough ER Doctor
Julia Keilty Psych Nurse #1
Mylène Dinh-Robic Psych Nurse #2
Sunita Prasad Psych Nurse #3
BJ Harrison Head Nurse
Hyuma Frankowski Male Student
David Quinlan Dan
Veena Sood Defense Attorney
John Shaw Prosecutor
Malcolm Stewart Judge Wilkens
Ken Kramer Dr. Donahue
Chaz Chamberlain Man on Pier
Carlo Fanella Police Officer
Terence Lewis Father
Rhonda Onstad Mother
Leigh Bourque Daughter (as Leah Bourke)
Daisy Lippa Young Julie
David James Lewis Dr. Barnes (as David Lewis)
Terry Lewis Father
Grace Bauer Store Employee (uncredited)
Vanessa Burns Mother (uncredited)
Jonathan Holmes Thief (uncredited)
Ian Thompson Bus Driver (uncredited)
Name Job
Barry Egan Editor
Michael Bertl Director of Photography
Sandra Nettelbeck Writer, Director
Janene Carleton Stunt Double
Owen Walstrom Stunt Coordinator
Tim Despic Original Music Composer
Linda Del Rosario Production Design
Brian Kane Art Direction
Bettina Helmi Costume Design
Gitte Axen Makeup Artist
Sarah Bergeest Still Makeup Artist
Susanne Woerle-Jiritano Makeup Artist
Pam Dixon Casting
Jennifer Page Casting
Laura Plock Foley Editor
Name Title
Christine Haebler Producer
Jens Meurer Producer
Judy Tossell Producer
Robert Little Executive Producer
Doug Mankoff Executive Producer
Chris Curling Executive Producer
Simon Fawcett Executive Producer
Kirk Shaw Executive Producer
Andrew Spaulding Executive Producer
Larry Sugar Executive Producer
Organization Category Person
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 4 12 21 4
2024 5 13 23 8
2024 6 12 25 6
2024 7 10 23 5
2024 8 9 22 5
2024 9 7 14 5
2024 10 8 14 5
2024 11 7 12 4
2024 12 6 13 3
2025 1 8 18 5
2025 2 6 9 2
2025 3 4 7 1
2025 4 2 3 1
2025 5 1 2 1
2025 6 1 2 1
2025 7 0 1 0
2025 8 1 3 0
2025 9 2 2 1
2025 10 2 4 1

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Reviews

BornKnight
6.0

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 s ... omeone 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+.

Nov 14, 2023