Review: Half Nelson


Ryan Gosling plays a smart, idealistic young high school history teacher who is also addicted to crack, something one of his students (Shareeka Epps) discovers when she walks in on him, strung-out in the toilets one day. She has her own problems associating with dealer Anthony Mackie, for whom Epps’ brother took the rap and is currently serving time. Whilst he’s teaching the class about opposing forces that collide to form a change, he’s fighting over Epps (whom he develops an unusual friendship with) with Mackie, whom we just know has seedy plans for her. But is the troubled Gosling, teacher or not, someone Epps should be protected by or from?


Ugly-looking but well-acted 2006 Ryan Fleck (his debut) film kept me interested longer than a film about a drug addict normally would. Gosling’s excellent performance is the primary reason for this (and I’ve not always been a fan), but I also had a teacher in High School who was a bit like him, a fairly cool guy who related well to his students, but yes, had a drug problem and in my case, the teacher died. So there was a bit of a personal connection for me there. I’m no fan of shaky, grubby-looking hand-held filmmaking, but I can’t deny this film has something, even if it doesn’t really have an ending. However, Fleck should’ve really clearly defined the nature of the relationship between Gosling and Epps. It never enters paedophilia territory (at all, and that really must be stressed), but it is a little inappropriate and vaguely uncomfortable at least. Fleck’s film might’ve been a little better if he didn’t allow for even the thought of such a thing to enter into the audience’s minds, considering that it is definitely not the film’s agenda. But those feelings were there for me, and I think a little re-writing might have helped that. Then again, maybe some would feel the film too Hollywood if it were more blatant. I can only say that it bothered me a bit. Scripted by Fleck and his partner Anna Boden, with whom he would later make the disappointing “Mississippi Grind”. A solid film with a couple of reservations.


Rating: B-

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