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Sister Helen

EMAILPRINTHBO / R & R Films Inc.

Sister Helen reviews
64
10.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 8 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 2 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Rebecca Cammisa
Rob Fruchtman

Release Date:
Theatrical: October 24, 2003

Running Time: 90 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: Not Rated

A documentary profile of a 69-year old Benedictine Sister who ran a 23-bed halfway house in the tough Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

75

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

A memorable portrait of a true New York character, Rob Fruchtman and Rebecca Cammisa's documentary ably captures the blazing force at its center.

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75

New York Post V.A. Musetto

Sister Helen don't take no bull.

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70

The New York Times Dave Kehr

Using a fly-on-the-wall camera technique that suggests the cinéma vérité documentaries of Frederick Wiseman, Ms. Cammisa and Mr. Fruchtman vividly capture the dynamic of tenderness and rage that characterizes Sister Helen's relationship with the 21 men who live under her roof.

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70

Film Threat Eric Campos

See the true story of Sister Helen and her band of weary men now.

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70

Variety Joe Leydon

Riveting portrait of a straight-talking, tough-loving Benedictine nun in charge of a South Bronx home for recovering substance abusers.

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70

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

An unforgettable tribute to a remarkable life, Sister Helen is inspirational in a way a film about a more conventionally pious religious figure could never be. Travis seems to be the antithesis of a cardboard saint.

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60

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

The unspoken question that underlies their struggles is whether a facility run by sheer force of personality can survive when that personality is gone; the film ends on a cautiously hopeful note.

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40

Village Voice Laura Sinagra

Perhaps if Sister Helen had been released when filming was completed in 2000, its tough-loving Irish nun, who gives hell to male drug addicts in a Mott Haven "safe house," might have passed for endearing.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 10.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ken D. gave it a10:
Recommend to all, but don't watch if you expect to hear and see saintly beings! They are the real deal. All are angels without halos.

Christine D. gave it a 10:
I saw this movie over one year ago and haven't stopped thinking about it. i go online periodically to see if I can purchase a copy. Fantastic, can't wait to see it again.

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