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HOME arrow Movie Reviews arrow HALF NELSON: Best Film!
HALF NELSON: Best Film! Print E-mail
Written by Jed Medina   
Friday, 08 June 2007

Directed by Ryan Fleck | Produced by Anna Boden, Lynette Howell, Rosanne Korenberg, Alex Orlovsky, Jamie Patricof | Written by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck | Starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie | Music by Broken Social Scene | Distributed by ThinkFilm | Running time 106 min.

Review by Jed Medina

After getting impressed with Ryan Gosling in Stay, reputed to be one of his less acclaimed films, I discovered that much has been said about the acting potential of this young actor. With a number of critically acclaimed films like The Believer and The Slaughter Rule, the accolades and adulation bestowed on Gosling continues, but many still await the role that would define his career as an actor.

In this Ryan Fleck-Anna Boden flick, Gosling finally realized his potential and can rightfully claim his place as one of the most important young actors today.

Half Nelson is the story of a high school teacher Dan Dune (played by Gosling) who is not satisfied with the way history is being taught in his school somewhere in Brooklyn. Thus he delineated from the curriculum and began to teach the subject using dialectics. Much has been said about this teaching style, and controversy continued to this day. [ see related topic as discussed in wikipedia ]

While Dune may not be the perfect teacher, he displayed his undeniable charm in class and thus make the experience more than worthwhile for his young, impressionable students. He gets the reaction he expects from his students and in a way, challenged them to appreciate more the lessons of history and how it affected their lives.

Equating history to being man's collective set of actions and reactions, he is trying to send a message that the subject is best appreciated when issues as explosive and as sensitive as the Civil rights movements are discussed, dissected and argued about. He wants them to think for themselves and question facts.

Inside the classroom, Dune also escapes from his painful and often fatalistic look at himself. You see, Dune is also addicted to crack and would often be on a high to escape from his increasing dissatisfaction with just about everything.

This delicate balance was shattered when one of his students, played brilliantly by Shareeka Epps, saw him actually doing it. What happens next will test each others' resolve, touching on the issues of loyalty, respect and self-discovery.

Many films have tackled the subject of drug addiction, but in Half Nelson, the potent mixture of idealism, social conflict and individualism put it on a higher, albeit different level. There is something raw and tragic and inspiring and innocent about the film. What it has successfully delivered to its audience is that it remains honest in the tackling of this issue. Even though it is based on the personal outlooks, views and research of its authors, it remains universal and full of conviction.

If there is one film worth watching in 2006, then it has to be Half Nelson.

Comments (2)

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Oscar worthy film!
Jed, thanks so much for the great review on this great indie film!

I have not had the opportunity to get to see Half Nelson (not for the sake of trying) but, I really want to see this movie. Especially for the story, and for Ryan's awesome performance.

Unfortunately here in Canada, Half Nelson was in very limited theatres so, as far as I know, I don't believe it even came to my nearest theatre (they show very few indies). :sigh

Many films have tackled the subject of drug addiction, but in Half Nelson, the potent mixture of idealism, social conflict and individualism put it on a higher, albeit different level. There is something raw and tragic and inspiring and innocent about the film. What it has successfully delivered to its audience is that it remains honest in the tackling of this issue. Even though it is based on the personal outlooks, views and research of its authors, it remains universal and full of conviction.


Very eloquently said Jed, thanks! All the accolades and praise I've heard about this movie and Ryan's acting, is certainly the incentive for me to want to see it.
Jan , June 20, 2007
Thanks a lot!
Hi Jan!

Half-Nelson is my favorite film for 2006. I really admire Ryan Gosling as an actor, and I think he is quite a social activist himself- taking seriously the issue of Darfur and other serious world issues. I think actors who are quite visible to the public need to help movements that promote social justice and equality more.
Admin , June 20, 2007

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