West 47th Street

A topnotch fly-on-the-wall documentary that originally aired on PBS's P.O.V. series, Bill Lichtenstein and June Peoples' West 47th Street is a day-to-day look at Fountain House--New York's successful 50-year-old center for helping the homeless and mentally ill. Following four inhabitants over three years--a schizophrenic Rastafarian, an immigrant woman (and brilliant cook) battling voices in her head, a gender-conflicted political activist, and a 60-ish fellow who is finally striking out on his own--the film vividly captures the difficulties they face and illustrates the difference that a little help can make. While hopeful, the cinema vérité-style documentary (without interviews or narration) doesn't sugarcoat its subject, touching on roommate conflicts in the apartments Fountain House maintains, downward spirals that result from going off prescribed psychotropics, and the tragedy of suicide. A memorable work of submersion journalism that comes bundled with an in-depth discussion guide, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Blackwelder)