Sister Helen
Sister Helen
| 04 March 2002 (USA)
Sister Helen Trailers

In this emotionally compelling documentary, Sister Helen opens a private home for recovering addicts and alcoholics in the South Bronx after the death of her husband and two sons. The film's fly-on-the-wall technique succeeds in capturing the day-to-day existence of Sister Helen and the various residents of the home.

Reviews
sev_hreshtak

Oh so beautiful, oh so tearful and so gut-wrenching. Makes everything seem so superficial, so pale, so meaningless in comparison. Sister Helen is not a real saint. She is a real human - flawed, raw and blunt, but passionate and with a heart of gold.What I found most interesting is that this handful of wretched, miserable people found meaning and laughter.What I loved most is how the documentary portrayed the polarity of human nature.

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rhackney

This tearful movie about a sister and her battle to save as many souls as she can is very moving. The film does well in picking up the characters and showing how Sister Helen deals with each.A wonderful journey from life to death.

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adwalt

This is truly a documentary of love about a fascinating character, her outlook on life and her extended family. The filmmakers spent three years taping Sister Helen at her halfway house and managed to capture so much wonderful material that you can not help but feel you know Sister Helen and her "boys." The house holds 21 recovering addicts each with a story almost as involving as Sister Helen's. The ending scenes are particularly involving and emotional.Sister Helen's story of marriage, addiction and loss reveals a very complex character who's tough love is at all times funny, touching and endearing.The film is a amazing in the way it tells its story in wonderful slice of life sequences which develop into a story that is almost as clear as if each scene were scripted and acted by the best. The honesty (and obvious dishonesty) of the "clients" is very involving as you learn of their fears and watch their attempts to grow.You will never forget Sister Helen, Robert, Moe or poor Ashish(spelling?).

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m13stan

I went into a screening of "SISTER HELEN" at the Sundance Film Festival and did not know what to expect.I was riveted by the people in this documentary. Sister Helen is an incredible character!!! The filmmakers captured the essence of Sister Helen's amazing soul and took me into a world unknown. I was thoroughly satisfied by the journey and was completely caught off guard by this film's ending.This film speaks to those who desire a second chance at life.

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