What's the Matter with Helen?: A Deep Dive into Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares
Have you seen a movie that lingers in your mind? Not the cheerful ones, but films that explore the dark sides of the human mind? "What's the Matter with Helen?" may be your unsettling cup of tea.
Released in 1971, the film mixes Hollywood glamour with Midwestern gothic elements. It offers a story that is both disturbing and captivating. Let's dive into this cinematic oddity.
From Midwest Mayhem to Hollywood Hustle: The Plot Unveiled
Picture this: two mothers, Adelle and Helen, from the calm Midwest. Their lives change when their sons face homicide charges. This makes family dinners uncomfortable! To avoid judgment and threats, they seek a fresh start. Where do they go? Hollywood. It's the place to reinvent yourself and maybe escape your past.
Adelle and Helen, played intensely by Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters, are not typical dreamers. They open a dance school for girls. They aim to build a new life under palm trees and among movie stars. To their surprise, business flourishes! Little girls in tutus fill their days, offering a mask of success.
In Hollywood, drama lurks behind the scenes. Even with a successful dance school, trouble follows them. Helen begins to unravel. She falls into a deep neurosis. Each day, she loses her grip on reality. Her clinginess to Adelle suggests something sinister beneath.
Adelle craves a different escape—romance. She sets her sights on a wealthy parent of a student, played by Dennis Weaver. Marrying him means love and security. It offers a way out from their troubled past and Helen’s crumbling stability.
Helen's Descent into Madness: A Character Study
The film centers on Helen’s character. She's not quirky; she is on the brink of madness. The script highlights her "dangerous neurosis." It’s not mild nerves; it’s a psychological collapse. Helen's dependence on Adelle isn't just friendship but a desperate, almost parasitic need. You feel the tension whenever Helen appears on screen, her smile hiding something dark.
Winters plays Helen chillingly well. She captures shifts from anxiety to mania. You wonder if Helen was ever stable. Did moving to Hollywood crack her already fragile psyche?
The Shocking Climax: Unpacking the Ending
Let's discuss *that* ending. It’s jaw-dropping. The wealthy suitor, sensing the darkness around Adelle and Helen, arrives at the dance school, likely looking for Adelle. What he finds is pure horror with a theatrical touch.
He sees Helen not just playing a song but *giddily* playing it. Who is the subject of her grim serenade? Adelle's corpse. Yes, you read correctly. Adelle has left this world. In an unsettling scene, she wears her dance costume, bound to a ladder on stage. It’s grotesque yet oddly poetic, showcasing Helen’s madness.
The film avoids a neat ending. Instead, it focuses on Helen's laughter, not a giggle but unhinged laughter. The final shot shows Helen as "completely insane." This gives a chilling conclusion. The audience must face Helen’s breakdown and Adelle’s tragic fate. It shows that dreams can become nightmares under Hollywood's misleading lights.
Beyond "What's the Matter with Helen?": Navigating the "Helen" Cinematic Universe
If you search for "Helen" movies, you’ll find a few others. One is "Helen (2009 film)," starring Ashley Judd. Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck, it covers severe depression. Judd plays a professor facing her breakdown with help from a friend. It’s a powerful film about mental health, unlike the psychological thriller vibe of "What's the Matter with Helen?".
There's another film, "Helen (2019 film)", which has its own storyline. If you want insights on the 2009 "Helen," visit Rotten Tomatoes for reviews.
But back to the original "Helen"—"What's the Matter with Helen?". This movie endures because it defies easy categorization. It blends thriller, dark comedy, and character study. If you crave a film that explores dark dreams and the fragility of sanity, you’ll ask, "What *is* the matter with Helen?" You may enjoy the unsettling journey to find out.
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