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It’s rare that a movie is as genuine and thought-provoking as “Half Nelson.” Not knowing quite what to expect when I entered the theater, I was pleasantly surprised, if not a little shaken.
The film, starring Ryan Gosling (“The Notebook”), Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie (“Million Dollar Baby”), follows a well-liked eighth- grade history teacher and basketball coach who has a secret crack habit, and the unlikely friendship he forms with a student.
After a basketball game one night, Dan (Gosling) runs into Drey (Epps), a student and member of his team, while he is high. She helps him, and he in turn gives her a ride home.
Armed with this new information about her teacher, she begins to look at him differently.
Over the course of the year, the two become friends, with Drey frequenting Dan’s house, the two sharing discussions, as well as several humorous jokes.
Though he has many problems of his own, Dan attempts to supplement Drey’s difficult home life by acting as a mentor to her, often bordering the line of too-close-for-comfort.
The writers, actors and director collaborate to portray genuine relationships that explore racial and generational lines.
At no point in the film do the relationships between the characters seem contrived or over-played. It feels like they are watching real people in real situations.
The film is bold in that it tackles difficult subjects both to depict and to watch, such as drugs and the effects of life in a difficult neighborhood.
The audience witnesses Dan feeding his crack habit in numerous scenes throughout the movie, and Drey has some experience with drug abuse as well.
However, the film does not fail to remain honest in its portrayal of these circumstances. The viewers see an excellent illustration of the effects of drugs on personal life and relationships.
Dan’s drug habit tears him away from a former girlfriend and prevents him from getting too close to a new one, and he almost loses his job.
Drugs also landed Drey’s older brother in jail, a fact that tore apart her family. Characteristic of many independent films, the scenarios are far from “Hollywood,” in that they are not the least bit artificial.
For better or for worse, the audience gets truly drawn into the lives of these characters, witnessing every part of their multi-faceted personalities.
“Half Nelson” is a very thought-provoking film and should not be missed.
