Half Nelson

Plot synopsis:
Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a young middle-school history teacher at a Brooklyn school, with a teaching style that rejects the standard curriculum in favor of an approach based upon dialectics (specifically Engels' three laws of dialectics, though this is never referred to by name).
Though he seems to have it all together in the classroom, on his own time he is found frequently snorting and freebasing cocaine. After a basketball game, Dan's ex-girlfriend, Rachel (Tina Holmes) turns up, evoking emotions that he cannot handle. A short while later, one of his students (and a player on the girls' basketball team he coaches), Drey (Shareeka Epps), catches him getting high in the locker room.
Meanwhile, Drey has to deal with a single-mother (Karen Chilton) who is always at work, a brother, Mike (Collins Pennie), who is in prison for selling drugs for neighborhood dealer, Frank (Anthony Mackie) and an absent father. Drey's lack of supervision makes her a target for Frank's operation and he encourages her to become involved in his business.
As Dan and Drey begin to get a better understanding of each other as friends, they both know what the other one should stay away from and what they need, but is struggling to get by themselves. Dan perceives that Frank is a bad influence on Drey and tries to intercede on numerous occasions. And Drey tries to get Dan to open up about his drug habit to no avail as he feels uncomfortable talking with a student about it.
After a tense conversation with Frank about Drey, Dan goes to Isabel's (Monique Gabriela Curnen) house, another teacher at the school, with whom he had one previous date. He forces himself on her, trying to right his apparent disinterest in her on their last date, but after she defends herself and runs off, he feels bad and decides to leave. The following day, he further takes his stress out on Drey, telling her to talk to friends her own age when she finds him, hoping to hang out. Drey, a little upset at this, is pushed further into the company of Frank, and he has her do her first drug deal.
Dan goes to his parents' house for dinner, where his brother, Jeff, and his girlfriend, Cindy, also attend. He says little, and does not enjoy himself much, but a joke of Jeff's that Cindy tells him makes him laugh. The same night, Drey is out with Frank, dealing. In the film's pinnacle scene, Drey arrives at a place to deliver some drugs and walks into a room of stoned drug users. The person revealed to be the buyer is Dan as he walks out of the back room and slumps down at the sight of Drey being the drug runner. There is only a slight shameful nod from him as he holds out the money to hand to her for the drugs. This exchange is the culmination of what each was trying to get the other to stay away from, and is finally brought to its climax by them encountering the other doing just that. The next day, Dan is not at school, and his students are told that he is being replaced by a Mr. Light, without much explanation. This changes something within Drey as she refuses a lift home from Frank, choosing to turn from that path.
She knocks on Dan's door and he answers. He goes into the bathroom, shaves and cleans himself up, before sitting down to drink a glass of water. Drey sits down and joins him. The film ends with Dan telling the same joke he heard from Cindy, but the timing is all wrong. Drey says, "That was horrible", and they both laugh.

Tags: humor, boring

Review:
Set in Brooklyn, New York where he currently lives, Ryan Fleck's first full-length feature, Half Nelson, is a gritty, sensitive, and emotionally harrowing film that meticulously avoids the inspirational clichés of many teacher-student films and the obligatory violence of films set in the ghetto.
In the case of Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling), an idealistic eight-grade history teacher in an inner city school, he turns the attack on himself, inspiring his students by day and drugging himself at night with crack cocaine.Dan is a well-liked teacher and basketball coach whose parents (Deborah Rush and Jay O.
A former girl friend from his period of rehabilitation (which he said didn't work for him) tells him that she is now getting married which pushes him further into a downward trajectory.The emotional highlight of the film is a confrontation between Dunne and Frank (Anthony Mackie), a suave drug dealer and associate of Drey's older brother who recruits Drey to be his collector.
Ryan Gosling delivers a performance in HALF NELSON that is a marvel to watch and to see the talent which this young man/actor brings to the film and screen.
Gosling adds HALF NELSON to his outstanding work in the films THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND and the gorgeous NOTEBOOK.Shareeka Epps as a young, struggling student, is a perfect foil to Gosling, and her intelligence and strength matches that of Gosling as they both deliver scenes that are memorable and tremendous.
From the classroom to the basketball court, to the painful addiction scenes, Epps and Gosling make HALF NELSON come alive with anger, pain and the true pathos of life represented in America today.With the final scene in the film, one can only hope that the characters may move from despair into lives which might give them a sense of hope, and finally a chance, as with the lessons of history, to move beyond their unhappy past into a brighter and more rewarding future..
"Half Nelson" is a spare, original story with exquisitely natural and fresh performances delivered by Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie.
At times, I found myself laughing and smiling through what is a rather disturbing story because of the way the characters react to the circumstances they find themselves in.I can't say enough good things about this film and highly recommend it because it is well conceived, directed and performed.I hope it receives support and recognition during the film award season so that a wider audience will find and see this independent film..
The 'dialectics' indie filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden created in "Half Nelson" is realized by Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps' unarguably nuanced performances.
Here in "Half Nelson," he appears to disappear into Dan Dunne, a high school teacher with an ideal and a crack addiction problem.
As Dunne wrote on the blackboard in the beginning: 'Dialectics,' the film "Half Nelson" is in itself dialectics demonstrated.Gosling's Mr. Dunne the history 'teach' doubling also as basketball coach, meeting (a solid matching delivery from) Shareeka Epps' Drey, the 13-year old student who 'found' him and 'witnessed' his secret - theirs is a relationship, naturally portrayed, of two 'opposing' forces as dialectics as can be.
Well-rounded supporting cast, especially Anthony Mackie as Frank the 'friendly' dealer who may want to do right by Drey but only in the way he knows how within the realms of selling drugs (reminds me of w-d Boaz Yakin's "Fresh" 1994, brilliant debut performance by Sean Nelson as the 12-year old interacting with a dealer 'mentor').Kudos to all involved on "Half Nelson".
A lot to learn from this film." "Wonderful character development (and great actors!) Very real movie." "Makes you think.
Thank goodness he chose to take part in this somewhat small and controversial movie.A story of two people floating about, wanting to do the right thing, but truly adrift--not knowing how to get there.One is a child, bombarded by the desire of others to get her into the drug business, and the other is her teacher, a drug addict who feels it's his duty to protect her...
In fact, here's the summary: A drug addict history teacher and a clever young black student develop a strong friendship and end up changing each other's lives.
The message is another thing to rave about as well because the movie isn't only trying to tell the viewers that "drugs are bad...especially if you're a teacher" but also you'll note that the main character (Ryan) has no racial distinction.
"Ryan Gosling stars as Dan Dunne, a young teacher whose edgy yet brilliant approach to history inspires his inner-city students to think for themselves.
The marvelously written screenplay is full of nuances, which serve the main point - showing the interconnecting ways drug addiction can infect the human spirit, when people like those played by Mr. Gosling and Ms. Epps are needed to play much more positive roles in a troubled world.Gosling's "Academy Award" nomination for "Best Actor" is clearly understandable; and, Epps could have easily won some "Best Supporting Actress" consideration.
Dan (Ryan Gosling) is a drug-addicted high school history teacher.
Directed and co-written by first-time feature director Ryan Fleck, this 2006 drama pulls no punches and offers no cheap sentiment in the story of two people intractably bonded by their mutually desultory existences - Dan Dunne, a crack-addicted Brooklyn middle school history teacher, and Drey, a 13-year old student in his class burdened by an overworked mother, a brother in prison, and an insinuating drug dealer named Frank.
Ryan Fleck's writing and directorial debut is sober and even somewhat glum, but it boasts a tremendous and committed performance from Ryan Gosling in the lead role; an understated and sweet performance from the young actress Shareeka Epps in a supporting role; and an intelligent, thoughtful, spare screenplay that avoids falling prey to easy sentiment.Gosling plays Dan Dunne, a young history teacher from a liberal family who himself has liberal ideas and a charismatic way with his students.
What's more important is that Drey will be o.k., and one of the things I liked most about "Half Nelson" was its suggestion that many times the most effective role models are those who show us who we DON'T want to be, rather than those who we want to emulate.Gosling proves himself to be a young actor to watch with his performance here.
A charismatic elementary school teacher by day, and a self-destructive drug addict by night - right from its premise, Half Nelson makes its mark as one of the most intriguing and fascinating films of the year.
The character of Dan Dunne and his interactions with his students are explored thoroughly by director Ryan Fleck's brilliant minimalist script, which remains wonderfully realistic, thankfully objective and endlessly interesting all the way through.
Rather than seeming like an elaborate archetype of a drug addict persona, his passionate but self destructive Dan Dunne bristles with sheer realism - this is a real guy we're watching, dealing with genuine problems in a consistently believable fashion.
Half Nelson, the first feature by director Ryan Fleck, steers clear of the inspiring clichés of teacher-student films and the usual violence of films set in the ghetto.Half Nelson is a character study, with a meager plot stretched into a one-act film.
It's a performance that will make the audience cringe with anguish and sympathy as Gosling takes one self-destructive step after another.It isn't surprising to hear that Half Nelson was once a short film by Fleck titled Gowanus, Brooklyn.
Fleck veers from the norm in his direction, giving an extremely claustrophobic look into the lives of the characters.Half Nelson, although somewhat painful to watch, will stay with you for a long time..
Or maybe they do, and "Half-Nelson" is their ode to it.All in all, this film perpetuates the theory that liberal white teachers are doing children of color favors by "sacrificing their ideals" (as stated in the "Story" section of the official website) to teach in inner-city schools.
A drug addicted teacher is trying to redeem himself and recover but falls further into his addiction.A young African-American girl is being drawn to the wrong side as she is left alone.They both have one thing in common.They are alone and lost and they are full of despair.They are searching for a friend that understands them,a friend they can share their feelings with.They befriend but can't maintain their friendship.This relationship is often misunderstood or misinterpreted but they know that they are friends and they are trying to help one another.But they are separated by their conditions.Dan is deteriorating in his recovery from drugs.And Drey is further isolated and drawn to the wrong side of life.But in the end they find each other and see themselves as each other's hope.Everything about this film is real.It's emotions are real,characters are real,situations are real.You can easily relate and connect with the characters and the situations they are in.It's extracted from our everyday lives.And it's an inspirational film with hope spreading out.It's not one of those clichéd and overly familiar tales about hope and redemption and finding oneself.It's unconventional approach makes it a standout film.A wonderful character study and compelling drama.It's disturbing to see one go through so much personal suffering.The nightmare of losing yourself.Some of the moments in the film really are hard-pressed but they were necessary.And they are done with mastery.This film is bound to bore those who look for those clichéd and conventional inspirational fares.But for those who are looking to get rid of those clichéd inspirational dramas,this is worth every look.It's the kind of film that keeps you going.Rich in its performances and film-making,Half Nelson is another classic example of why Hollywood is the best.Independent cinema should be more recognized and it is.Gosling and Epps are a revelation.The chemistry and their individual performances are strikingly authentic and emotional.Mackie is brilliant as well.Fascinating look at life and its tragedies and hopes.Beautifully directed and written,with a different cinematography to aid the film.Its philosophical terms and historical references makes it a wider experience.I really loved its pacing and its authenticity.A really touching and feel good drama that must be experienced,thoughtful and intense.Definitely one of this years best Indie offerings..
While Shareeka Epps, the young actress in the film, looks like she has potential, she is given few lines and all she does is WATCH her teacher get worse and ask him to stop futilely.Finally it ended and I knew I didn't enjoy.
I have always liked Ryan Gosling's choices and work, but this is by far his best project."Half Nelson" is the first movie I have seen since "The Godfather" where I simply couldn't find words to express my feelings toward this film.
This was not a terribly good movie.It had all the pretense and PC dogma to make all the right people swoon over it, but in reality it was a frivolous and utterly pointless exercise in film-making.The whole thing comes off like a checklist for political correctness.
I myself had avoided this picture for close on two years, I looked at the summaries and presumed that it was yet another preachy life affirming film about a white teacher working in an inner city school and winning over the troubled black kids, how wrong I was.
As we enter the final quarter, we the audience are intently observing these two people and their interwoven paths of destiny, filmed in an earthy fly on the wall style, it's with much credit that all involved here have created a moving and believable piece.Ryan Gosling (Dan) continues his surge up the A list of modern day actors, boasting a number of affecting performances on his CV, this is yet another turn to cement his well earned reputation as a leading light of his generation.
The acting is good by Gosling and the young girl but there is precious little character development or plot so you end up not knowing that much about them really and hence, caring what happened to them.
I am a fairly patient person but I found myself fast forwarding scenes where gosling is staring at walls in his apartment or making tea.Even the ending summed up the film, you;d need a degree in psychology to really work out what it all means and I know a lot of people on here will say thats the point and "its open to interpretation" but thats a lot of hogwash.If you want to watch a flick about the effects of drug addiction try requiem for a dream or trainspotting, this will just bore the pants off you..
Slightly different than what was expected, Half Nelson is a very solid film that shows a good and real meaning, where there are people in the real world such as Ryan Gosling's character, having troubles and doing what is must in order to survive with such addictions.
Junior high school history teacher and girls' basketball coach Ryan Gosling crawls into a crack-clouded fog once he gets home; one of his inner-city students knows his secret, yet she is harboring troubles of her own.
Instead, it's a character study of two people, both flawed and frustrated, who have at least one thing to hope for: one another.Half Nelson doesn't walk down the predictable path of dire revelations and grungy lost causes as most films about drug addiction do.
Half Nelson is a film that ticks all the requirements for indie movie making; shot largely with hand held cameras in close up, a soundtrack that consists of whining miserablists and a lead character played by a bleary eyed Canadian with a groovy designer beard.
So much so that they even manage to make the slow pace and dream-like atmosphere into a watchable little gem that despite not being as good as some critics would have you believe, is still worth rooting out.Gosling plays teacher Dan Dunne.
Consequently, Half Nelson doesn't really feel like a movie but a snapshot of two people's lives at one potentially crucial moment when they overlap.The story admittedly isn't especially interesting in its own right and at times it slows to a crawl, but it's held together by the two leads.
Shedding some light on a grey concrete urban 21st century American world.The performances of Ryan Gosling (Dan, the teacher) and Shareeka Epps (Drey, the student) are insightful and outstanding.
HALF NELSON Written by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck Directed by Ryan FleckA teacher tries to open the minds of a class of inner-city high school students.
Ryan Gosling gives a quietly moving performance playing a young middle-school teacher with a drug problem.
His character, Dan Dunne, forms a friendship with one of his students named Drey (Shareeka Epps).
Thrown students giving presentations to the class, Dan feeling trapped in his life, and a thoroughly effective examination of impoverished city life, "Half Nelson" is both devastating and one of the most unforgettable independent films of our time..
Ryan Fleck's "Half Nelson" stars Ryan Gosling as Dan Dunne, a troubled history teacher.
Make of this metaphor what you will."Half Nelson" is reasonably well directed by Fleck, dodges most "teaching movie" clichés, and features a good performance by the usually comatose Ryan Gosling.
Very hard call between Gosling in this film and Peter O'Toole in Venus in terms of outstanding acting in a difficult and provocative role.Particularly amazing scenes include the moment when Drey, the young student first finds Dan in the female toilets at the school, shaky and on the verge of collapse from drug use.Another is when he attempts to tell Frank, a local dealer, to stay away from Drey.For me the emotional centre of the film comes at the moment when Drey walks in on one of Dan's 'rave' parties and they look at each other for a brief moment as the money changes hands.
Like 'Sherrybaby', 'Half Nelson' is a familiar film elevated by a standout performance from Ryan Gosling.
The young Canadian actor makes this movie about a drug-addicted teacher one with heart and personality, but doesn't always come off as a personable and engaging film.
It is a little miracle of a movie.Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling in a breakout performance) is an idealistic, fervent teacher recently graduated from college with a profound desire to make things different - in education and in the world.
A great character role by Ryan Gosling as Dan Dunne, an imaginative and creative high school teacher with a drug habit.
But one day, one of his students, a troubled girl, witnesses his secret and that secret will bring them together along a shared path.Ryan Gosling has been in so many great movies but this one of his best early roles as leading man.
Shareeka Epps does very well as the troubled girl and she holds her own against Gosling.Overall, Half Nelson is a beautiful drama about how two similarly depressed people are able to connect even though they don't find much in life.
So if you are a Ryan Gosling fan, if you like dramas or if you just want to see a really good film, check out Half Nelson..
Rating: 8.5/10Half Nelson follows the story of Dan Dunne, a school teacher, with a drug problem he is trying to get rid of.
This movie focuses on the lives of Dan and Drey anyway so Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps are in the spotlight.
Ryan Gosling is fantastic in this film once again, and he portrays his character with great power, one of his best performances in my opinion.
Probably better remembered for his short lived television series Young Hercules, and recently in the straight to DVD movie Stay, he puts up a rather stoned performance (ok, so his character is a junkie) that seemed to want to tug your heartstrings in his weary, isolated outlook of life, yet leaving you feeling rather nonchalant given his substance abuse.To his students, Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is the teacher full of unorthodox ideas, challenging authority and doing things his way.
Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) teaches history at Brooklyn high school attended mostly by black and Hispanic students.