Helen stars Ashley Judd and Goran Visnjic (ER) and was written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck, who also did Mostly Martha.  And after a world premiere at last year’s Sundance, you would’ve expected this to make the art house circuit, get some critical acclaim and potentially get nominated for several awards.  But instead, Helen has gone straight to DVD.  And why is that?  Because, Helen is a movie about depression and that’s a tough sell to a potential audience.  Even in the world of indie cinema, everyone wants a happy ending and rare are the films that draw an audience without one. 

Sure you have your Million Dollar Baby, Precious, Sophie’s Choice or Leaving Las Vegas that find distribution, an audience and accolades.  But then again, I’ve also purposely avoided seeing them, along with Dancer In The Dark, In The Bedroom and The Road, because I knew they wouldn’t be an easy watch.  Not to say that I haven’t seen my fair share of “wrist slitters” in my time, The Savages, Naked, Grave of the Fireflies, Ikiru and Requiem for a Dream come to mind.  But if I know a film is good but also depressing, then I have to be in the proper mood to see it.  And it’s not often that I’m in that kind of mood.   I find it interesting that people who are purchasing Helen on Amazon are also picking up Date Night too, so I know I’m not the only one.

But I made it through Helen, so you can decide if you want to add it to your Netflix queue.  And overall it is a good movie, even if it is tough to recommend.  Ashley Judd gives a very believable performance of a woman who finds herself unraveling from severe depression and trying to come to grips with how to survive with the illness.  Goran, as her second husband, tries all he can to fix her, but also comes across as the angriest supportive ever.  Lauren Lee Smith takes on the role of Mathilda, the wise, young bi-polar who understands, accepts and supports Helen, but turns out to need Helen even more.  The movie doesn’t provide answers or resolutions.  You never see a root cause as to what started Helen down this path from her seemingly idyllic life, nor do you see anything wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end.  Because when you’re dealing with severe depression, there really aren’t any answers.  And like the ocean, which stages so many scenes in the film, depression comes in and out like the tides.  Helen can have good days or bad days, but the days will just keep coming.