I liked this movie. The teacher thing... quite a unique character. Reminds me of a friend of mine. Actually, he used to be my teacher... middle school English. We smoke after class... Haha...
Well, one thing's for sure, you probably won't find a more depressing movie this year than Ryan Fleck's Half Neslon. That's not really a compliment, nor is it an insult. It's just the truth. Half Nelson is not your typical ghetto high school movie like Lean on Me or Dangerous Minds, nope, it's way darker than that. First off, it doesn't come close to cliché, but in so doing, pretty much all the characters aren't likable. This is a film about sleazy people living sleazy lives with probably no chance of redemption. The point of the film? Nothing, really. Just to showcase something we hardly ever see in movies anymore -- realistic characters.
Half Nelson is like this year's 'Capote'. It's a good film built around an astonishing performance. Ryan Gosling lights up the screen with his ambitious and amazingly realistic portrayal of a crack-addict high school teacher. Gosling, an actor I would have ranked as a 'not much better than average' actor has pulled a 'Heath Ledger', and completely impressed me and pretty much every film critic there is. He completely nails the role, all the facial expressions, hand gestures, modulations -- it's one of the best portrayals of a drug addict I've ever seen in a movie, and I've seen a hell of a lot of movies. Gosling without a doubt delivers the finest screen performance of the year so far, and is a shoe-in for a Best Leading Actor Oscar nomination come next January.
The other actors in the film are solid but completely over-shadowed by Gosling. The closest in quality to Gosling's riveting portrayal would have to be young Sharekka Epps as the High School girl wise beyond her years who befriends Gosling after witnessing him smoking crack in the locker room. Their bond is a very interesting and inventive one, kind of a like a father-daughter relationship if Gosling's character wasn't as screwed up. Gosling and Epps on-screen chemistry is fabulous, and one of the things to actually like about the film. Anthony Mackie is solid in his role as a local drug dealer, and Karen Chilton is good as well as Shareka Epps' character's caring but over-worked mother.
Half Nelson is a slow moving film, which is unfortunate seeing as though it's only about an hour and half. With each passing minute the film grows more depressing and grim, to the point of where you don't even want to be in the theater. The screenplay is well written, but it lacks a sense of likability in the characters I felt the film needed more of. Ryan Fleck provides commendable direction, even if his out-of-focus shots when Gosling is getting high, grow old after a while.
In conclusion, I recommend this film only to those who can handle or would like to handle it. Half Nelson is a pessimistic journey into reality most people would rather not sit through. To sum it up, it's a good film featuring an outstanding leading performance. Grade: B (screened at Harkins Camelview 5, Scottsdale, Arizona, 10/01/06)
A very well made and interesting movie. Gosling was really brilliant and was supported well by the others. The ending is disappointing but the overall experience is fantastic!
Before this I loved Ryan, because The Notebook of course. I knew he was a good actor, but I thought he did brilliantly in this. I thought the storyline was completely different, I thought it was more of an inspiring teacher and students take on the unfair world and create greatness. But I much rather what the movie turned out to be. I found it realistic, mainly because of the simple storyline, the relationship between student and teacher - it could have become more than that and a bit awkward and wrong but it didn't it was just a trust and unsaid understanding between them. Also that in the end Ryans not magically cured. And the story followed well with no needed complications, it is what it is. And though I have just compaired it to alot of other hollywood movies and the fact that it is different doesnt by itself make it brilliant. I just thought it was a good story, good acting, script everything.
I really liked it and dont think this whole review made scenes....meah who other than me actually reads this anyway?
I'm at a crossroads with this, Ryan Gosling is fantastic but I don't find that plot all that shocking, all teachers are addicts of some kind and the camera work pisses me off at times but it's still very good and it carried by Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps performances.
Ugh. There?s so much to be said for a student/teacher relationship and I have yet to see a movie that portrays it well and captures how difficult that relationship is. Of course these characters were a little complicated and not the norm, but I still wanted more from each of them. Funny-- I immediately thought, ?He can?t drive her home! He can?t be in a vehicle with her! It?s against the rules!? All of this is probably what is wrong with our education system. Most kids hate school, yet they still come. When I think about my favorite teacher, I don?t think about the one who followed all the rules and put the assignment on the board, I think about the one who basically did the exact opposite. Almost everything in education needs to be revamped. Woah, I?m getting way off track. Ryan Gosling is a great actor and he impresses me more with every film of his I watch. Half Nelson just doesn?t work as well as I wanted it to because we don?t get enough of the characters. Maybe that?s the point?how well does a teacher know his or her student and vice versa? I doubt it.
Half Nelson very much so reminded me on Lost In Translation, two very different characters who come together through a mutual need of being accepted and helped. Throughout the movie they are seen to accept each other then accept the wrong and then rescue each other. The performance from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps are perfect and they work so well together. Such a well made film and one i recommend for sure.
uh i used to be gosling fan even when he was under age as young hercules forgive me god for that. but i would rather see him in that movie where his girlfriend is an inflatable doll
So far, I think this is the film that showcases Ryan Gosling's talent the best. A touching story about a trouble man and his odd relationship with one of his students. He's been in many films that prove what he is capable of but this film alone is where he is actually in a film that is truly worthy of holding the performance. I feel that it is such a shame that this film was not shown to a wide audience. His character is a remarkable man who inspires and influences all of his pupils. Some of the more simple scenes where it only involves his talking about his subject. Only Ryan Gosling could pull off the passion necessary. I love that you see him struggle through his own personal problems and those at school as he is being instructed to teach in a more acceptable way. I can't wait to see Gosling top this performance and I have no doubt that he will.
i think for this film to work you had to really believe the actors were their character and Goslin and Epps did it soo well. Ryan Gosling no doubt once again blew my mind out of the water, there is no part in the film where you find yourself thinking 'oh he's just reading lines' he gets you so into it, and you realy believe he's this drug addict teacher. the story is also very unique with a teacher who developps this quirky relationship withone of his students and thankfully they we're able to pull it off and not make it seem like he was a peadophile, or make it some sort of sexual relationship. i highly recommend this film
This movie has a quiet charm that has unfortunately been overshadowed by other major releases. What past critics have said about this movie has been right, and it will stay with you. A highly character driven piece of cinema with incredibly naturalistic performances. Personally I found it a little dull in places but Gosling did pretty well to keep it all together. Not an outstanding movie but some pretty amazing content within it.
A bit on the depressive side but this is one extremely well made, well directed and well acted independent film. Ryan Gosling once again shows us how talented an actor he is with a performance well worthy of an Oscar. Extraordinary!. The kid (Shareeka Epps) wasn't half as bad either, though her role seems a bit intellectual and depressive for a 13 year old.
The film doesn't quite pack an emotional punch that will blow you away but still, it works in it's own ways and at the end of the day, I'd say this is certainly one of the best films I've seen recently and though it's a small film, it delivers a big message. It's never too late to change.
Ryan Gosling gave an Oscar-nominated performance as Daniel Dunn, an inner-city history teacher fighting his own personal demons while forming a friendship with a girl in his class. This movie, even moreso than Fracture, really showed how great of an actor Gosling really is. Combine this with incredible natural perfomances from Mackie and Epps and an almost perfect musical score by Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene and this was certainly movie of the year quality!
Another strong performance by Gosling with a solid surrounding cast. I wasn't too excited by the story as there just aren't any moments that blow you away...which isn't the end of the world. What's strange is there are several laugh out loud moments even during moments of intense dramatic levity. Some of which I don't know if the director wanted the audience to laugh at. And another thing...95% of this movie is a shaky, handheld closeup. In fact, I'm pretty sure the entire movie was filmed OFF of a tripod...what the hell? I kind of got tired of looking at Gosling's feet and ears all day.
MCT:July 25, 2008
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