6.7
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.
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)
Director, Writer
Sandra Nettelbeck
November 8, 2023
6
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+.