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Half Nelson

The film "Half Nelson" can be summed up in word: real. There’s nothing fairy tale about this movie, no dreamed up romantic ending, no unfathomable conflict that magically gets resolved and no humorous but impractical situations. This motion picture presents one man’s life how it truly is, regardless of false expectations formed from years of Hollywood influence.

Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is an inner city junior high school teacher, who stresses to his students the grasp of society and the need to overcome it. Ironically this same force, which seems to be caging the district of Brooklyn is also imprisoning him. Dunne’s struggle with his drug addiction slowly overcomes his passion for anything else and no love, friend or family member seems to be able to help; they are all stuck within the same system he is. However, he soon finds comfort in the most unlikely of places. In a girl’s locker room where he is pursuing his habit, he encounters one of his students (Shareeka Epps). This girl, trapped within her own societal bounds, could be the only person who can possibly help him. During their journey together, they discover things about life and about the world that terrifies them; yet throughout this voyage they also discover that change requires patience, and friendship entails trust.

"Half Nelson" neither goes above nor beyond the limits of humanity. However, in presenting characters with real circumstances, within a genuine setting and focused on an un-fabricated plot, this film presents concepts and assures conclusions that we, as part of society, can relate to and understand. In this way, the film comforts us in a way that no dazzling but unrealistic film could.

Written by: Amy Hillard

Reviewers Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 1

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