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Half Nelson (2006) Review
Half Nelson (2006): information
| Movie | Half Nelson |
| Real Name | N/a |
| Rating | 6.6 |
| Duration | 107 Min |
| Aired | 2006-08-11 |
| Types | MOVIE |
| Languages | English |
|
Sources
Countries
United States of America
Genres
DramaHollywood MoviesEnglish Movies
Tags
PrisonNew york citySportsDateEx-girlfriendClassGhettoBicycleBasketballCrackTeacherTheftAlcoholicLiberalJunior high schoolDrug habitFreebasing
Directors
Ryan Fleck
Stars
Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie, Jeff Lima, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Tina Holmes
Writers
Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Companies
Hunting Lane Films, Journeyman Pictures, Original Media, Silverwood Films, Traction Media
Taglines
Secrets don't let go
Description
Despite his dedication to the junior-high students who fill his classroom, idealistic teacher Dan Dunne leads a secret life of addiction that the majority of his students will never know. But things change when a troubled student Drey makes a startling discovery of his secret life, causing a tenuous bond between the two that could either end disastrously or provide a catalyst of hope.
Review
Author: Geronimo1967
Ryan Gosling is on very natural form here as the teacher "Dan" who has a bit of a drug habit after school. He's a good teacher. Well liked. A man who gets results from a class of students who would almost all rather be somewhere else, and he coaches the girls' basketball team too. Luckily for him, it's one of his pupils, "Drey" (Shareeka Epps), that discovers him a bit worse for wear in the school toilet and swiftly a friendship develops. It's one of mutual understanding. His life is a mess and she is having to deal with divorced and largely absent parents. Her brother "Mike" is in jail for drug offences, but quickly we learn that it's "Frank" (Anthony Mackie) who's really the culprit there. He tries to take care of the girl, but when the two men meet it's clear that "Dan" thinks" Frank" should leave her alone; he's a bad influence. Needless to say, there are views taken about the appropriateness of their friendship but somehow that just galvanises them into trying to help each other. For "Dan", to perhaps stop treating the women in his life like dirt; and for "Drey" to have the confidence to grab life by the throat. It's a slowly paced look at human nature this film and there's quite a degree of chemistry between the charismatic Gosling and the Epps. They are walking a tightrope that puts his career at risk and she is at a junction in her life where choices will map her future. Mackie only features sparingly but again, his character is a little more sophisticated than your usual drug dealer. "Frank" does appear to care for his charge and seems prepared to engage with "Dan", up to a point, to help the girl choose a better life. Is there room for optimism or is it all a fait accompli? Plenty of plausible emotions on display here.