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Hélène

1936·Movie
1h 49min
65
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

Hélène fingerprint

Big heart, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Adrenaline3
  • Fast Pace3

Heart

Moving and nostalgic

  • Pathos8
  • Nostalgia8
  • Romance7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Satire & Parody2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

History

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Character Depth7
  • Direction6

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Helene is based on Helene Wilfur, a novel by Vicki (Grand Hotel) Baum. Madeleine Renaud essays the title role, a young medical student in love with aspiring musician Pierre Regnier (Jean-Lous Barrault). Pierre's father, a noted surgeon, puts pressure on his son to give up music in favor of medicine. Unable to withstand his father's remonstrations, Pierre kills himself, prompting the grieving Madeleine to forget all about romance and dedicate her life to the cause of healing others. Wilfur avoids the usual soap-opera goo by offering realistic performances and credible dialogue (the English-language subtitles were composed by erudite film critic Herman G. Weinberg).
French DramaTragic RomanceHistorical SettingMelancholy AtmospherePsychological DepthCharacter-DrivenClassic CinemaSuicide ThemesSlow Burn

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Hélène

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Hélène legally?

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Is Hélène worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66/100 (IMDb 7.6). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Hélène rated?

Suicide themes

Content advisories: suicide themes.

How long is Hélène?

1 h 49 min

Hélène runs 1 h 49 min.

What language is Hélène in?

French

It was made in French. Produced in France.