Boasting an astonishing performance by Ryan Gosling, this incisive
drama is both beautiful and tough, and also filled with extraordinary observations
about human nature. Gosling stars as Dan Dunne, an idealistic, charismatic middle-school
teacher who is beginning to lose his extracurricular struggle with cocaine and
alcohol. His bleary mornings are becoming increasingly evident to his colleagues,
but they’re most obvious to 13-year-old student Drey (Shareeka
Epps), a latchkey kid drawn to his classroom spirit. As Dan and Drey
strike up a friendship, he recognizes that the African American girl is in danger
of gravitating to the world of family friend Frank (Anthony Mackie),
a drug dealer hoping to enlist her as a runner. Dan sets out to save her, even
while refusing to stop using—a contradiction that is not lost on him.
Pitch-perfect in its script and exceptional performances, Half Nelson
deals with principles without preaching or melodrama. Gosling makes Dan a likeable,
believable guy, even when he is acting like a fool. Rated R. Writers:
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden. Director: Ryan Fleck. (US 2006) 104 min.
Boasting an astonishing performance by Ryan Gosling, this incisive
drama is both beautiful and tough, and also filled with extraordinary observations
about human nature. Gosling stars as Dan Dunne, an idealistic, charismatic middle-school
teacher who is beginning to lose his extracurricular struggle with cocaine and
alcohol. His bleary mornings are becoming increasingly evident to his colleagues,
but they’re most obvious to 13-year-old student Drey (Shareeka
Epps), a latchkey kid drawn to his classroom spirit. As Dan and Drey
strike up a friendship, he recognizes that the African American girl is in danger
of gravitating to the world of family friend Frank (Anthony Mackie),
a drug dealer hoping to enlist her as a runner. Dan sets out to save her, even
while refusing to stop using—a contradiction that is not lost on him.
Pitch-perfect in its script and exceptional performances, Half Nelson
deals with principles without preaching or melodrama. Gosling makes Dan a likeable,
believable guy, even when he is acting like a fool. Rated R. Writers:
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden. Director: Ryan Fleck. (US 2006) 104 min.
