Film Review: Half Nelson

Director: Ryan Fleck

A delightfully subtle film which poses numerous questions about teaching methods and the possible destruction caused be drug use. Ryan Fleck also co-wrote the screenplay with Anna Boden for the film that was based on a 19 minute short film that the couple wrote called Gowanus, Brooklyn. It's a film that makes you pick up on the small details to ascertain what the characters are thinking as big bold gestures are few and far between.

Drey (Shareeka Epps) and Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling)

Ryan Gosling once again proves his superb talent for portraying people that you can see in everyday life and that many people can relate to. In this case, a disillusioned and depressed history teacher who forms a bond with a pupil called Drey after she catches him smoking crack in the locker room after a basketball game. Dunne is a great example of somebody who is a poor role model to a pupil but still wants to protect their best interests by guarding Drey against Frank (Anthony Mackie) who is slowly convincing her to move into the drugs industry with him. Gosling was later nominated for an Academy award for his role as Dan Dunne.

The narrative is at times slow moving but it's the slow descent of a teacher who is struggling more and more to stop his drug habit as he becomes more depressed with his life. Loneliness is a central theme throughout the movie for both the main characters and is one of the key reasons they are oddly drawn together, a theme that is never discussed but is certainly understood between the two. It's a story that occurs in many inner cities as teachers realise that they can't necessarily change the world from one classroom which breaks your heart.

3.5/4 beautifully acted and incredibly down to earth drama