Sister Helen

"I would like to smoke crack more than anything in the world right now," reports one recovering addict here. What keeps him from giving in to that urge? One tough, foul-mouthed, Irish-American broad: Sister Helen Travis (yup, she's a nun), a force of nature you cross at your own peril. Family tragedy (she lost her husband and sons to substance abuse) drove recovering alcoholic Travis to the Catholic Church late in her life, and she set up a South Bronx group home for men addicted to drugs and alcohol, run purely on donations and rent from the men living there, who subject themselves to Sister Helen's particular brand of tough love. Winner of tons of festival awards, as well as garnering an Emmy nomination, filmmakers Rob Fruchtman and Rebecca Cammisa's Sister Helen serves up a powerful tribute to an extraordinary woman (she would probably deny that there was anything special about herself), who inspires a fierce devotion in those poor souls (whom society willingly discards) she seeks to help. DVD extras include filmmakers' commentary, additional interviews, and deleted scenes. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Johanson)